Govt releases over Rs. 284 cr to strengthen rural local bodies in Mizoram, Odisha, Tripura

New Delhi, Aug 26 (UNI) The Government has released the first instalment of the Fifteenth Finance Commission Untied Grants for Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Mizoram, Odisha, and Tripura for 2025–26, according to a statement here by the union Panchayati Raj Ministry.

Mizoram has received Rs. 14.28 crores for 827 eligible village councils under the 2023–24 grants, while Odisha has been allocated Rs. 240.81 crores covering 6,085 gram panchayats and 63 block panchayats.

Tripura’s share amounts to Rs. 29.75 crores, benefiting 606 gram panchayats, 35 block panchayats, 8 zilla parishads, along with all 587 village committees and 40 block advisory committees.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in coordination with the Ministry of Jal Shakti, recommends and facilitates the release of these grants in two instalments annually.

The Untied Grants enable rural local bodies and panchayati Raj Institutions to address location-specific needs under the Twenty-Nine subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and establishment expenses.

Additionally, the tied grants are earmarked for essential services such as sanitation—including maintenance of open defecation free (ODF) status, management and treatment of household waste, faecal sludge management, and water supply initiatives, including rainwater harvesting and water recycling, said the statement.