Dehradun: The Union Government has released Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants during Financial Year 2024–25 for Rural Local Bodies in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh. Uttarakhand has received over Rs. 93 Crores for strengthening the rural governance.
According to a press release, issued by the PIB, these grants provided to the Panchayati Raj Institutions and the Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) play a crucial role in strengthening grassroot democracy.
Over rupees 93 crore for Uttarakhand
For the Rural Local Bodies in Uttarakhand, the 1st instalment of Untied Grants for the Financial Year 2024–25 amounting to Rs.93.9643 crore have been released, the release, issued by the PIB mentioned. The release further mentioned that these funds are for 7769 Gram Panchayats, all 995 Block Panchayats and all eligible 13 Zila Panchayats of the hill state.
The Government of India through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti recommends release of Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants to the states for Rural Local Bodies and then it is released by the Ministry of Finance. The allocated Grants are recommended and released in 2 instalments in a Financial Year.
Rural local bodies of Punjab
For the Rural Local Bodies of Punjab, the 1st instalment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs.225.1707 crores have been released. These funds are meant for the eligible 13144 Gram Panchayats, eligible 146 Block Panchayats and all eligible 22 District Panchayats in Punjab.
Rural local bodies of Chhattisgarh
For the Rural Local Bodies in Chhattisgarh, the Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants, released during Financial Year 2024–25, are, 2nd instalment of Untied Grants of the Financial Year 2024–25 amounting to Rs.237.1393 crore along with the withheld amount of 1st instalment of Untied Grants for Financial Year 2024–25 amounting to Rs.6.9714 crore, the release issued by the PIB said. 11548 eligible Gram Panchayats, all eligible 146 Block Panchayats and all eligible 27 Zila Panchayats of Chhattisgarh will be benefitted by these funds in Chhattisgarh.
Grants to be utilized by Panchayat Raj Institutions
The Untied Grants will be utilized by Panchayati Raj Institutions / Rural Local Bodies for location-specific felt needs, under the Twenty-Nine (29) Subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs, the release said.
The Tied Grants
The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of (a) the sanitation and the maintenance of ODF status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, and human excreta and faecal sludge management in particular and (b) supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
