- Funds aimed at strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural infrastructure
- Gujarat receives ₹535.8 crore, Haryana ₹195.1 crore to boost local governance and basic services
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, OCT 21
The Union Government has released over ₹730 crores under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants for strengthening Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Gujarat and Haryana, underscoring its commitment to empower grassroots governance and improve rural infrastructure.
In Gujarat, the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25, amounting to ₹522.20 crores, has been released for all 38 District Panchayats, 247 eligible Block Panchayats, and 14,547 Gram Panchayats across the State.
Additionally, the Centre has also released ₹13.60 crores from the withheld portion of the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25 to 6 District Panchayats, 5 Block Panchayats, and 78 Gram Panchayats that have now become eligible.
For Haryana, the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2025–26, amounting to ₹195.13 crores, has been sanctioned for 18 District Panchayats, 134 Block Panchayats, and 6,164 Gram Panchayats.
According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Untied Grants empower local bodies to address location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution—ranging from health and sanitation to agriculture and rural roads—excluding expenditure on salaries and establishment costs.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation jointly recommend the release of these grants, which are disbursed by the Ministry of Finance in two installments each financial year.
In addition to untied funds, the Tied Grants are directed towards core services such as:
(a) sanitation, including maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, solid and liquid waste management, and fecal sludge management, and
(b) drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
Officials said the fund release is expected to accelerate local development and enhance the capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver essential services effectively.
With this tranche, the Centre continues to reaffirm its focus on strengthening decentralized governance, ensuring that development reaches every village through empowered local institutions.
