What is the Government of India's Rs 1,091 crore release for rural local bodies in Bengal and Andhra?
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Synopsis
On October 9, the Government of India announced a substantial allocation of Rs 1,091.47 crore for rural local bodies in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant step towards enhancing local governance. This funding will bolster development initiatives and support essential services at the grassroots level.
Key Takeaways
- Government allocates Rs 1,091.47 crore for rural local bodies.
- Support aimed at West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh.
- Funds to address location-specific needs.
- Tied grants focus on sanitation and water supply.
- New initiatives enhance local governance.
New Delhi, Oct 9 (NationPress) The Government of India has allocated Rs 1,091.47 crore as the initial tranche of untied grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission for rural local bodies in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh, as announced by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj on Thursday.
A total of Rs 680.71 crore was disbursed to West Bengal on October 6, benefitting 3,224 Gram Panchayats, 335 Block Panchayats, and 21 Zilla Parishads for the financial year 2025–26, according to the statement.
For the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26, a comprehensive amount of Rs 4,181.23 crore has been allocated to West Bengal, which includes Rs 2,082.13 crore as untied grants and Rs 2,099.10 crore as tied grants, signifying the Government of India’s ongoing dedication to enhancing grassroots governance and service delivery through Panchayati Raj institutions in the state, as per the statement.
The Union Government has also provided Rs 410.76 crore to Andhra Pradesh, covering all 13 District Panchayats (Zilla Praja Parishads), 650 eligible Block Panchayats (Mandal Praja Parishads), and 13,092 eligible Gram Panchayats out of 13,327 GPs in the state for the financial year 2025–26.
The first tranche of untied grants is earmarked for rural local bodies to address local needs across the 29 subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and establishment costs, as clarified in the statement.
Meanwhile, the tied grants will facilitate essential services such as sanitation and maintaining Open Defecation-Free (ODF) status, which includes management and treatment of household waste and human excreta. These grants can also support drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling initiatives.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj has initiated programs like SabhaSaar, an AI-based tool for documenting and summarizing Gram Sabha meetings, SVAMITVA for digital property rights and land mapping, and eGramSwaraj for comprehensive online planning, accounting, and monitoring.
Additionally, Gram Manchitra has been launched for geo-spatial planning. These platforms enhance transparency and efficiency, empowering citizens to engage more actively in local governance.
Point of View
It is clear that the Government of India's commitment to providing significant financial support to rural local bodies in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh showcases a strategic approach to strengthening grassroots governance. This initiative reflects a proactive stance in addressing the needs of local communities, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to enhance service delivery and empower citizens.
NationPress
09/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding was released for rural local bodies in West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh?
The Government of India released Rs 1,091.47 crore as the first instalment of untied grants for rural local bodies in these states.
What will the untied grants be used for?
The untied grants will be utilized for location-specific needs, excluding salaries and establishment costs, across the subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
What are tied grants used for?
Tied grants are utilized for basic services like sanitation, maintaining Open Defecation-Free status, drinking water supply, and waste management.
What initiatives has the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched?
Initiatives include SabhaSaar for Gram Sabha proceedings, SVAMITVA for property rights, eGramSwaraj for online planning, and Gram Manchitra for geo-spatial planning.
How does this funding impact local governance?
This funding enhances transparency and efficiency in local governance, empowering citizens to participate actively in community development.
