New Delhi, March 3, 2025 – The Government of India has disbursed the 15th Finance Commission Grants for the financial year 2024-25 to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in West Bengal. This includes the second installment of Untied Grants amounting to ₹694.4 crore, along with a withheld portion of the first installment, which is ₹4.9 crore.
According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the funds are designated for the 21 eligible District Panchayats, 326 Block Panchayats, and 3,220 Gram Panchayats in West Bengal. These grants are intended for use in local development projects across a wide range of sectors under the constitutional framework.
The Ministry explained that the Untied Grants can be utilized by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and RLBs to address location-specific needs under the Twenty-Nine subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Importantly, the funds cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenses.
In addition, the grants include provisions for Tied Grants, which are earmarked specifically for enhancing basic services. These include the maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, waste management, human excreta and fecal sludge management, water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling. These measures aim to ensure better sanitation and sustainable water practices at the grassroots level.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), has been actively involved in recommending and coordinating the release of these grants. The Ministry of Finance then disburses the funds to the states in two installments per financial year.
This financial assistance is part of the government's broader effort to bolster rural governance, enhance transparency and accountability, and foster self-reliance in villages across the country. These grants are expected to significantly contribute to the development of rural infrastructure and improve quality of life for millions of rural residents.
According to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the funds are designated for the 21 eligible District Panchayats, 326 Block Panchayats, and 3,220 Gram Panchayats in West Bengal. These grants are intended for use in local development projects across a wide range of sectors under the constitutional framework.
The Ministry explained that the Untied Grants can be utilized by Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and RLBs to address location-specific needs under the Twenty-Nine subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. Importantly, the funds cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenses.
In addition, the grants include provisions for Tied Grants, which are earmarked specifically for enhancing basic services. These include the maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, waste management, human excreta and fecal sludge management, water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling. These measures aim to ensure better sanitation and sustainable water practices at the grassroots level.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), has been actively involved in recommending and coordinating the release of these grants. The Ministry of Finance then disburses the funds to the states in two installments per financial year.
This financial assistance is part of the government's broader effort to bolster rural governance, enhance transparency and accountability, and foster self-reliance in villages across the country. These grants are expected to significantly contribute to the development of rural infrastructure and improve quality of life for millions of rural residents.