The government on Tuesday released ₹213.9 crore to Assam under the XV Finance Commission as Untied Grants for Rural Local Bodies, aimed at strengthening grassroots governance and improving local infrastructure across the state.
The amount is the first instalment for the financial year 2025–26 and has been released for all 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads in Assam.
The grants are recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) and are released by the Ministry of Finance. Under the XV Finance Commission framework, funds are disbursed to states in two instalments each financial year.
The Untied Grants can be utilised by Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies to address location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and establishment-related expenses.
In addition, Tied Grants under the Finance Commission framework are earmarked for basic civic services, including sanitation and the maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status. These include household waste management, treatment of human excreta and faecal sludge, as well as the supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
The release of funds is expected to support rural development initiatives and improve service delivery at the grassroots level across Assam.
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