New Delhi: The Centre on Friday announced the release of Rs 275.1253 crore to enhance rural governance infrastructure in Jharkhand under the 15th Finance Commission grants.
According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the funds represent the second instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25 and will benefit all eligible rural local bodies in the state. These include 24 District Panchayats, 253 Block Panchayats and 4,342 Gram Panchayats.
The ministry said that grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission are released to states in two instalments each financial year. The Untied Grants can be utilised for local, need-based development works, excluding expenditure on salaries and establishment costs.
In contrast, Tied Grants are earmarked for essential services such as sanitation, maintenance of open defecation-free (ODF) status, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and water recycling initiatives.
Earlier this month, the Centre had released over Rs 137 crore to support rural local bodies in Goa, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttarakhand during FY 2025–26.
Additionally, more than Rs 3,324 crore was recently disbursed to strengthen rural local bodies in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal under the second instalment of the same Finance Commission’s Untied Grants.
Officials said the sustained release of funds reflects the Centre’s focus on empowering grassroots institutions and improving delivery of basic services in rural areas across the country.
With inputs from IANS