The North News
New Delhi, February 18
The Centre government has released grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) for rural local bodies in Punjab, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh for the 2024–25 financial year. These funds, allocated to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), aim to strengthen grassroots democracy and improve rural governance.
In Punjab, the first installment of untied grants, totaling ₹225.17 crore, has been disbursed to 13,144 Gram Panchayats, 146 Block Panchayats, and 22 District Panchayats. Chhattisgarh received a second installment of untied grants worth ₹237.14 crore, alongside ₹6.97 crore from the withheld first installment. These funds are designated for 11,548 Gram Panchayats, 146 Block Panchayats, and 27 District Panchayats. Uttarakhand has been allocated ₹93.96 crore as the first installment for 7,769 Gram Panchayats, 995 Block Panchayats, and 13 District Panchayats.
The grants, recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, are disbursed by the Ministry of Finance in two annual installments. While untied grants allow local bodies to address location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, tied grants are designated for essential services, including sanitation, waste management, and drinking water supply.
