What is the recent funding of over Rs 127 crore for rural local bodies in Tamil Nadu?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Rs 127.586 crore allocated for Tamil Nadu's rural bodies.
- Funding supports 9 District Panchayats, 74 Block Panchayats, and 2,901 Gram Panchayats.
- Grants are part of the 15th Finance Commission's United Grants.
- Funds will address local needs, excluding salaries and operational costs.
- Focus on sanitation, waste management, and essential services.
New Delhi, Dec 19 (NationPress) The Central government has allocated Rs 127.586 crore to rural local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions in Tamil Nadu for the Financial Year 2025-26, as reported by officials.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj stated that this funding marks the second installment of the United Grants as per the 15th Finance Commission for the year.
The grants cater to nine District Panchayats, 74 Block Panchayats, and 2,901 Gram Panchayats that have elected bodies and meet the eligibility criteria, according to an official announcement.
The Union government, via the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), advocates for the distribution of 15th Finance Commission grants to states for rural local bodies/Panchayati Raj Institutions, which is then facilitated by the Ministry of Finance.
The funds are disbursed in two installments throughout the financial year.
Earlier on the same day, Rs 94.236 crore was released by the Union government to bolster rural local bodies in Uttarakhand for the 2025-26 financial year.
This release includes the second installment of Untied Grants for the financial year 2024-25, which amounts to Rs 94.10 crore for all eligible 13 district panchayats, 95 block panchayats, and 7,784 gram panchayats in the southern state.
Moreover, an additional Rs 13.60 lakh has been released towards the withheld portion of the first installment of Untied Grants for the financial year 2024-25 to 15 eligible gram panchayats.
In September this year, the Union government allocated over Rs 342 crore for rural local bodies in Tamil Nadu and Assam as part of the 15th Finance Commission's United Grants for the Financial Year 2025-26.
The initial release of United Grants for Tamil Nadu totaled Rs 127.586 crore for the 2025-26 financial year, which includes 2,901 Gram Panchayats, 74 Block Panchayats, and nine District Panchayats.
The United Grants are intended for addressing specific local needs, excluding salaries and other operational costs.
These funds may be utilized for essential services, such as sanitation, maintaining an open defecation-free status, and the management and treatment of household waste, human excreta, and faecal sludge. Additionally, they will support the supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.