Over Rs 723 crore released by Centre for rural governance in Rajasthan, Jharkhand

New Delhi: In a major boost to rural governance, the Union government has disbursed over Rs 723 crore to rural local bodies in Rajasthan and Jharkhand under the 15th Finance Commission grants, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj announced on Friday.

As per the official statement, Rajasthan has received Rs 303.04 crore as the first instalment of untied grants for the financial year 2025–26. The assistance will support 24 district panchayats, 339 block panchayats and 3,857 gram panchayats. Additionally, Rs 145.24 crore, earlier withheld from the first and second instalments of FY 2024–25, has been released after rural local bodies met the required eligibility criteria.

Jharkhand, meanwhile, has been allotted Rs 275.13 crore as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2024–25. The funds will reach 24 district panchayats, 253 block panchayats and 4,342 gram panchayats across the state.

The Centre releases Finance Commission grants in two instalments every year, following recommendations by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with final disbursement handled by the Ministry of Finance.

Untied grants allow Panchayati Raj institutions to address local development priorities under the Eleventh Schedule, while tied grants focus on sanitation, solid and liquid waste management, drinking water supply and the maintenance of open defecation-free status.

The ministry also highlighted the rollout of digital initiatives such as SabhaSaar, SVAMITVA, eGramSwaraj and Gram Manchitra, aimed at improving transparency, planning efficiency and citizen participation in local governance.

With inputs from IANS