Empowering Rural India's Self-Governance: Centre Releases Finance Commission Grants

The Indian government has disbursed Rs 266.8 crore to Kerala and Rs 27 crore to Meghalaya as part of the Fifteenth Finance Commission grants for rural bodies. These funds aim to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions and support essential services, including sanitation and water management, across the states.

The central government has recently distributed a substantial portion of the Fifteenth Finance Commission grants, with Kerala receiving Rs 266.8 crore and Meghalaya Rs 27 crore. This financial backing is aimed at reinforcing rural bodies by empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions across these regions.

Kerala's grant will serve 14 district panchayats, 152 block panchayats, and 941 gram panchayats, while Meghalaya's funds will benefit the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia autonomous district councils. These allocations are the result of structured recommendations and are released by the finance ministry in two instalments annually.

The untied grants support location-specific needs specified in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution, while tied grants focus on promoting sanitation, open defecation-free status, waste management, and water supply initiatives, all pivotal in the sustainable development of rural areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)