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Centre Releases Rs 94 Crore to Uttarakhand Panchayats Amid Rural Push

The central government has released over Rs 94 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Uttarakhand for the upcoming financial year. This funding, part of the 15th Finance Commission grants, is divided into untied grants for local needs and tied grants for specific services like water and sanitation. The move is part of a broader push to empower panchayats, following similar recent allocations to states like Assam and Odisha. These funds aim to improve rural infrastructure and governance through targeted development projects.

Key Points: Rs 94 Crore Released to Strengthen Uttarakhand Rural Local Bodies

  • Second instalment of Rs 94.10 crore released for all eligible district, block, and gram panchayats
  • Funds target 29 development subjects, excluding salaries and establishment costs
  • Tied grants specifically earmarked for sanitation, ODF status, and drinking water supply
  • Release follows similar grants to Assam and Odisha under the 15th Finance Commission
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Centre releases over Rs 94 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Uttarakhand

Centre releases over Rs 94 crore to Uttarakhand's rural local bodies for 2025-26. Funds target sanitation, water, and local development under 15th Finance Commission grants.

"Untied Grants are meant to be utilised by Rural Local Bodies/PRIs for location-specific felt needs - Ministry of Panchayati Raj"

New Delhi, Dec 19

The Centre has released Rs 94.236 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Uttarakhand during the financial year 2025-26, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on Friday.

The release includes the second instalment of Untied Grants for the Financial Year 2024-25 amounting Rs 94.10 crore for all eligible 13 district panchayats, 95 block panchayats and 7,784 gram panchayats in the hill state. In addition, Rs 13.60 lakhs towards the withheld portion of the first instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2024-25 has been released to 15 additionally eligible gram panchayats.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommend the release of XV FC Grants for RLBs/PRIs, which is subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments during a financial year.

Untied Grants are meant to be utilised by Rural Local Bodies/PRIs for location-specific felt needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment expenditures. Tied Grants, on the other hand, are earmarked for basic services relating to sanitation and maintenance of ODF status including management and treatment of household waste, human excreta and fecal sludge, and supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.

The government, through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends 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, and 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.

The Centre, earlier in November this year, released over Rs 223 crore for rural local bodies in Assam and another Rs 444.38 crore to strengthen panchayats in bodies in Odisha as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has launched initiatives such as SabhaSaar -- an AI-powered tool for recording and summarising Gram Sabha proceedings, SVAMITVA for digital land mapping and property rights, eGramSwaraj for integrated online planning, accounting and monitoring.

Besides, Gram Manchitra has been rolled out for geo-spatial planning.These platforms not only improve transparency and efficiency but also empower citizens to participate more actively in local governance.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Good to see the central government supporting rural infrastructure. The focus on sanitation and drinking water through tied grants is crucial for public health. Initiatives like SVAMITVA for land mapping are also very forward-thinking.
P
Priyanka N
Releasing funds is one thing, ensuring they reach the last mile is another. We have seen cases of corruption in panchayat funds before. Tools like eGramSwaraj and SabhaSaar for transparency are welcome, but their implementation on the ground must be monitored strictly.
A
Aman W
As someone from a hill state, I appreciate this. Our villages need sustainable development, not just one-time funds. Hope a significant portion goes to water conservation and waste management, which are big issues in the hills. Jai Uttarakhand!
M
Michael C
The article mentions similar grants for Assam and Odisha. It's encouraging to see a structured, nationwide approach to strengthening local governance. Empowering local bodies is key to effective democracy.
K
Kavya N
The 'untied grants' for local needs is a good concept. My village in Himachal could use such funds for a library or digital center. Hope the gram sabhas are actively involved in deciding how to use this money for maximum community benefit.

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