The Union Government has released ₹717.17 crores for Rural Local Bodies in Maharashtra under the XV Finance Commission. This amount represents the first instalment of Untied Grants for the Financial Year 2025-26. The funds have been released to duly elected and eligible rural local bodies in the State, covering 2 District Panchayats (Zilla Parishads), 15 Block Panchayats (Panchayat Samitis) and 26,544 Gram Panchayats.

Government of India through Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommends release of XV-FC Grants to States for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs)/ Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), which are then released by Ministry of Finance. The allocated grants are recommended and released in 2 installments in a financial year. The Untied Grants will be utilized by RLBs/ PRIs for location-specific felt needs, under the Twenty-Nine subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs. The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of (a) sanitation and maintenance of ODF status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, and human excreta and fecal sludge management in particular and (b) supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.

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AA