New Delhi [India]: The Union Government announced the release of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Rajasthan and Odisha for the Financial Year 2024-25, according to a statement by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
For Rajasthan, the government has disbursed the second installment of Untied Grants amounting to ₹560.63 crore, along with ₹53.41 crore withheld from the first installment for the same financial year. These funds are allocated for 10,105 eligible Gram Panchayats, 315 eligible Block Panchayats, and 20 eligible District Panchayats in the state.
Similarly, for RLBs in Odisha, the second installment of Untied Grants totaling ₹370.20 crore has been released, alongside ₹84.51 crore from the withheld portion of the first installment. These grants are designated for 6,794 eligible Gram Panchayats, 314 Block Panchayats, and 30 District Panchayats in the state.
The Untied Grants are intended to address location-specific needs as identified by the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and RLBs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. However, these grants cannot be used for salaries or establishment expenses.
Tied Grants, on the other hand, are earmarked for essential services such as:
- Sanitation and maintenance of ODF (Open Defecation Free) status: This includes waste management, human excreta treatment, and fecal sludge management.
- Water supply and management: This covers drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
The funds are recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) before being released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments per financial year.
The Fifteenth Finance Commission Grants play a pivotal role in empowering grassroots democracy, improving governance at the rural level, and fostering self-reliance in villages. This financial support enhances accountability and strengthens local governance structures, contributing to the holistic development of rural communities.