Local Bodies Win: ₹730 Cr. Funding for Gujarat & Haryana

The Union Government has released over ₹730 crore under the 15th Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants to strengthen rural local bodies (RLBs) in Gujarat and Haryana for FY 2025–26.

Gujarat received ₹522.20 crore as the second installment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25, benefiting 38 District Panchayats, 247 Block Panchayats, and 14,547 Gram Panchayats. In addition, ₹13.59 crore from the withheld portion of the first installment has been released to local bodies that have now met the qualifying criteria.

Haryana received ₹195.13 crore as the first installment of Untied Grants for FY 2025–26, covering 18 District Panchayats, 134 Block Panchayats, and 6,164 Gram Panchayats.

The XV-FC grants—jointly recommended by the Ministries of Panchayati Raj and Jal Shakti and released by the Ministry of Finance in two installments each year—empower Panchayati Raj Institutions to address local development priorities under the Eleventh Schedule. While Untied Grants provide flexibility for general development needs, Tied Grants are earmarked for essential sectors such as sanitation, water supply, and waste management.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.