Delhi, 21 October (H.S.): The Union Government announced on Tuesday the release of over ₹730 crores in grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) to strengthen Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Gujarat and Haryana. This financial infusion is aimed at empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions to address local needs and improve basic services at the grassroots level.
For Gujarat, the government released the second installment of Untied Grants for the financial year 2024–25, totaling ₹522.20 crores. This funding will support all 38 District Panchayats, 247 eligible Block Panchayats, and 14,547 eligible Gram Panchayats.
Additionally, a previously withheld portion of the first installment, amounting to ₹13.5989 crores, was also disbursed to 6 District Panchayats, 5 Block Panchayats, and 78 Gram Panchayats that have since become eligible.
The state of Haryana received its first installment of Untied Grants for the financial year 2025–26, amounting to ₹195.129 crores. This grant will benefit 18 District Panchayats, 134 eligible Block Panchayats, and 6,164 Gram Panchayats across the state.
The disbursement follows recommendations from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with the funds being released by the Ministry of Finance. The grants are categorized as either Untied or Tied.
RLBs can use the Untied Grants for various local needs outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding establishment costs. The Tied Grants are specifically designated for essential services, including sanitation, maintaining open-defecation-free (ODF) status, waste management, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
