Has the Govt Released Rs 1,133 Crore to Empower Rural Local Bodies in MP, Punjab, Telangana?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) On Friday, the Centre announced the release of over Rs 1,133 crore aimed at bolstering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) across Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, and Telangana, as part of the grants allocated by the 15th Finance Commission for the fiscal year 2025–26.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj revealed that in Madhya Pradesh, Rs 652.55 crore has been provided as the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25.
This funding will benefit all 52 eligible District Panchayats, 312 eligible Block Panchayats, and 23,001 eligible Gram Panchayats in the state.
Moreover, Rs 77 lakh has also been released representing the withheld portion of the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25 to 3 additional eligible Block Panchayats and 6 Gram Panchayats, according to the ministry.
For Punjab, Rs 222 crore was released as the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2025–26.
"These funds will aid all 13,262 eligible Gram Panchayats, 150 eligible Block Panchayats, and 22 eligible District Panchayats throughout the state," the ministry stated.
In Telangana, Rs 256.0295 crore was released as the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25, benefiting 12,702 eligible Gram Panchayats.
Additionally, Rs 233.18 lakh, which represents the withheld portion of the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2023–24, has been released to 11 additional eligible Gram Panchayats and 40 Block Panchayats, as per the ministry's announcement.
The Untied Grants will be utilized by Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies for addressing location-specific needs, excluding salaries and other operational costs.
Meanwhile, Tied Grants can be used for fundamental services such as sanitation and maintaining ODF status, focusing particularly on the management and treatment of household waste, human excreta, and faecal sludge, as well as the provision of drinking water and initiatives like rainwater harvesting and water recycling.