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Centre Releases Rs 275 Crore to Boost Jharkhand's Rural Governance

The Central Government has released over Rs 275 crore to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions in Jharkhand as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants for the 2025-26 financial year. This second instalment of Untied Grants will benefit all eligible district, block, and gram panchayats across the state. The funds are designated for location-specific needs, sanitation, maintaining open defecation-free status, and drinking water supply projects. The announcement follows similar recent grants to states including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, totalling thousands of crores for rural local bodies.

Key Points: Rs 275 Crore Released for Jharkhand Rural Bodies

  • Rs 275 crore for Jharkhand rural bodies
  • Funds for sanitation and drinking water
  • Part of 15th Finance Commission grants
  • Benefits over 4,600 Panchayats
2 min read

Centre releases over Rs 275 crore to boost rural governance in Jharkhand

Centre releases Rs 275 crore to Jharkhand's Panchayati Raj institutions for sanitation, water, and local development under 15th Finance Commission.

"The Untied Grants will be utilised for location-specific felt needs - Ministry of Panchayati Raj"

New Delhi, Feb 27

The Centre on Friday said it has released Rs 275.1253 crore to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural local bodies in Jharkhand as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants during FY 2025-26.

According to Ministry of Panchayati Raj, this release pertains to the second instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2024-25 and will benefit all eligible 24 District Panchayats (DPs), 253 Block Panchayats (BPs) and 4,342 Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the state.

The government recommends release of XV-FC grants to states for rural local bodies. The allocated grants are recommended and released in two instalments in a financial year.

According to the ministry, the Untied Grants will be utilised for location-specific felt needs, except for salaries and other establishment costs.

The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of sanitation and maintenance of ODF (open defecation-free) status. These grants can also be used for the supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.

Earlier this month, the Centre announced the release of over Rs 137 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Goa, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttarakhand during FY 2025-26.

Moreover, the Union government announced the release of more than Rs 3,324 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal as part of the second instalment of the 15th Finance Commission's untied grants.

Bihar received Rs 802.40 crore benefiting all 38 district panchayats, 533 block panchayats and 8,053 gram panchayats, along with an additional release of Rs 1.39 crore from the withheld portion of the first instalment that has since become eligible.

Similarly, Uttar Pradesh has received Rs 1,559.40 crore for all 75 district panchayats, 826 block panchayats and 57,694 gram panchayats, in addition to Rs 11.016 crore released from the withheld portion that also become eligible.

West Bengal has also been allocated Rs 680.86 crore for eligible 21 district panchayats, 335 block panchayats and 3,225 gram panchayats under the same instalment.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good news! But the real challenge is ensuring the money reaches the ground. We've seen funds get stuck at higher levels before. Direct benefit to Gram Panchayats is crucial. Focus on drinking water should be top priority in tribal areas.
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Aman W
While the release is positive, I respectfully question the timing and distribution. Why such a large disparity between states? UP gets over 1500 crore, Jharkhand gets 275 crore. The needs in Jharkhand's rural areas are immense. The allocation formula needs review.
S
Sarah B
As someone working in rural development, the 'Untied Grants' concept is excellent. It allows villages to address their specific needs—maybe a community hall in one, a water tank in another. Empowering local bodies is the way forward for India.
V
Vikram M
Maintaining ODF status is so important for public health. Glad to see funds earmarked for that. Hope the Panchayats use this money well. Jai Hind!
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Nisha Z
My family is from a village in Jharkhand. They struggle with basic amenities. This news gives hope. But please, for God's sake, have strict monitoring. The local MLA and MP should oversee the work, not just the officials.

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