Centre Releases Rs. 213.9 Crore to Strengthen Rural Local Bodies in Assam under XV Finance Commission.
New Delhi:
In a significant boost to grassroots governance and rural development, the Union Government has released Rs. 213.9 crore to Assam under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs). The amount represents the first instalment for the financial year 2025–26 and aims to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions across the state.
The released funds will benefit 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats, and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads in Assam. The grant is intended to empower local self-governing institutions to effectively plan and implement development initiatives based on local needs.
The release of XV Finance Commission grants follows a structured process wherein the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommend the allocation of funds for Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies. The recommended grants are subsequently released by the Ministry of Finance. As per Finance Commission guidelines, the total allocation for a financial year is disbursed in two instalments.
Out of the total allocation, Untied Grants provide flexibility to Rural Local Bodies to address location-specific and felt needs under the Twenty-Nine subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. These funds, however, cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenses.
In addition, Tied Grants are earmarked for the provision of essential basic services. These include:
- Sanitation and maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, with special focus on solid and liquid waste management, treatment of household waste, human excreta, and faecal sludge management.
- Drinking water-related services, such as supply of potable water, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.
The timely release of funds is expected to strengthen rural infrastructure, improve basic services, and enhance the overall quality of life in rural Assam, while reinforcing the role of Panchayati Raj Institutions in decentralized governance and sustainable development.
