Centre Releases Rs 444 Crores to Odisha Rural Bodies Under XV Finance Commission Grants
Bhubaneswar, Nov 3, 2025 — In a major boost to grassroots governance, the Union Government has disbursed over Rs 444 crores to Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) across Odisha under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants for the financial year 2025–26.
The release includes Rs 342.59 crores as the second instalment of United Grants, benefiting 20 Zilla Parishads, 296 Panchayat Samitis, and 6,734 Gram Panchayats.
Additionally, Rs 101.78 crores—previously withheld from the first instalment of United Grants—has now been allocated to 20 Zilla Parishads, 233 Panchayat Samitis, and 649 Gram Panchayats.
These grants, recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, are disbursed by the Ministry of Finance in two instalments annually.
While Untied Grants offer flexibility for location-specific development under the Eleventh Schedule, Tied Grants are earmarked for critical services such as sanitation, drinking water, rainwater harvesting, and maintaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status.
This financial support is expected to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and accelerate sustainable development across Odisha’s rural landscape.
