The government has disbursed Rs 213.9 crore as untied grants under the 15th Finance Commission for rural local bodies in Assam. This amount represents the initial installment for the financial year 2025–26, as confirmed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The funds have been allocated to 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats, and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads across the state.
In a statement, an official mentioned that the released funds cover all eligible local bodies in Assam. Last November, the Centre had already allocated over Rs 223 crore to bolster rural local bodies in the state as part of the 15th Finance Commission grants for the financial year 2025–26. This release constituted the second installment of untied grants for the financial year 2024–25, totaling Rs 219.24 crore, benefiting all eligible District Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and Gram Panchayats.
Additionally, an amount of Rs 4.698 crore from the previously withheld portion of the first installment of untied grants for the financial year 2024–25 has been disbursed to an additional 26 eligible Block Panchayats. The Union government, through the Ministries of Panchayati Raj and Jal Shakti, oversees the allocation and release of 15th Finance Commission grants to states for Panchayati Raj Institutions, with the Ministry of Finance executing the disbursement. These grants are distributed in two installments each financial year for utilization by Panchayati Raj institutions and rural local bodies to address specific needs in various areas.
Untied grants are intended for location-specific requirements under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule, excluding salaries and establishment expenses. Tied grants, on the other hand, are designated for essential services like sanitation, maintenance of ODF status, and management of household waste, human excreta, and faecal sludge. These funds can also be utilized for activities such as drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
