Uttarakhand receives over Rs. 93 crores for strengthening rural governance

The Union Government has disbursed Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants for the financial year 2024–25 to Rural Local Bodies in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh, aiming to strengthen grassroots democracy by empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).

These grants provide critical financial support to local bodies, ensuring the effective implementation of development initiatives.

For Punjab, the first installment of Untied Grants, amounting to Rs. 225.1707 crores, has been released. These funds will benefit 13,144 eligible Gram Panchayats, 146 Block Panchayats, and all 22 District Panchayats in the state.

In Chhattisgarh, the second installment of Untied Grants for the financial year 2024–25, amounting to Rs. 237.1393 crore, has been released along with the withheld amount of Rs. 6.9714 crore from the first installment.

These funds will support 11,548 eligible Gram Panchayats, 146 Block Panchayats, and all 27 Zila Panchayats in the state.

Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand, the first installment of Rs. 93.9643 crore has been allocated to 7,769 eligible Gram Panchayats, 995 Block Panchayats, and 13 Zila Panchayats.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of these grants to states, which are then disbursed by the Ministry of Finance in two installments each financial year.

Untied Grants can be utilized by PRIs for addressing local developmental needs under the 29 subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and establishment costs.

Tied Grants, on the other hand, must be used for essential services such as sanitation, waste management, fecal sludge treatment, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.

For more information, please click : https://panchayat.gov.in/document-category/release-order-of-finance-commission-grants-to-rlbs-issued-by-ministry-of-finance/