Centre Releases Rs 275 Crore to Strengthen Rural Governance in Jharkhand

New Delhi The Centre on Friday announced the release of Rs 275.13 crore to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and rural local bodies (RLBs) in Jharkhand under the 15th Finance Commission grants for the financial year 2025–26.

According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the amount represents the second instalment of Untied Grants for FY 2024–25. The funds will benefit all eligible local bodies in the state, including 24 District Panchayats, 253 Block Panchayats and 4,342 Gram Panchayats.

The Union government releases 15th Finance Commission grants to states in two instalments each financial year to support rural local bodies. Untied Grants can be used for location-specific development needs, excluding salaries and establishment expenses.

Tied Grants are earmarked for essential services such as sanitation, maintenance of open defecation-free (ODF) status, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.

Earlier this month, the Centre released over Rs 137 crore to rural local bodies in Goa, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Uttarakhand.

In addition, more than Rs 3,324 crore was released to strengthen rural local bodies in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and West Bengal as part of the second instalment of untied grants.

With inputs from IANS