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Assam Gets Rs 214 Crore Boost for Rural Development in New Grant Release

The Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj has released the first instalment of Rs 213.9 crore in untied grants for Assam's rural local bodies for the 2025-26 financial year. The funds are allocated to thousands of eligible Gram, Block, and District Panchayats across the state. These grants are part of the 15th Finance Commission awards and are intended for location-specific development needs under 29 subjects. The release follows previous grants, including a second instalment of over Rs 219 crore for the prior financial year.

Key Points: Rs 214 Crore Released for Assam's Rural Local Bodies

  • First instalment for FY 2025-26
  • Funds for 2,192 Gram Panchayats
  • Part of 15th Finance Commission grants
  • For location-specific rural needs
  • Excludes salaries and establishment costs
2 min read

Govt releases Rs 213.9 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Assam

The Centre releases Rs 213.9 crore in untied grants to Assam's Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and Zilla Parishads for FY 2025-26.

"It has been released for all 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads across the state - Official Statement"

New Delhi, Jan 20

The government on Tuesday said it has released Rs 213.9 crore as untied grants under the 15th Finance Commission for rural local bodies in Assam.

This represents the first instalment for the financial year 2025-26, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj said in a statement.

"It has been released for all 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads across the state, said an official statement.

In November last year, the Centre released over Rs 223 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Assam as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants during the financial year 2025-26.

This entails the second instalment of untied grants of the financial year 2024-25, amounting to Rs 219.24 crore. These funds were for all eligible 27 District Panchayats, all eligible 182 Block Panchayats and all eligible 2,192 Gram Panchayats of the state.

Further, Rs 4.698 crore of the withheld portion of the first instalment of untied grants for the financial year 2024-25 has also been released to additional eligible 26 Block Panchayats.

The Union government, through the Ministries of Panchayati Raj and Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of 15th Finance Commission grants to states for Panchayati Raj Institutions, which are then released by the Ministry of Finance. The allocated grants are recommended and released in two instalments in a financial year.

Untied grants may be utilised by Panchayati Raj institutions and rural local bodies to meet location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule, excluding salaries and establishment costs.

Tied grants can be used for the basic services of sanitation and maintenance of ODF (open defecation-free) status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, human excreta and faecal sludge management in particular.

These grants can also be used for the supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good news! But the real challenge is ensuring this money reaches the villages and doesn't get stuck in bureaucratic delays. We need strong monitoring mechanisms at the local level.
R
Rohit P
Over 200 crore released again. While the intention is good, I respectfully question the efficiency. Last year's funds... were the outcomes publicly reported? Accountability is as important as allocation.
M
Meera T
Focus on drinking water and ODF status is crucial for public health. Hope the Block Panchayats use the tied grants effectively. Assam's villages deserve this infrastructure boost.
D
David E
Interesting to see the detailed breakdown to Zilla Parishads, Block, and Gram Panchayats. The 29-subject framework for untied grants allows for localised solutions. A good model for rural governance.
S
Sneha F
As someone from a small town, I know how much difference a well-funded Panchayat can make. Hope they invest in community halls, road repairs, and waste management. Jai Hind!

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