The Centre has recently released over Rs 7.23 billion as Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions and Rural Local Bodies in Rajasthan and Jharkhand during FY 2025–26.

In Rajasthan, the first instalment of untied grants amounting to Rs 3.03 billion has been released for 24 District Panchayats, 339 Block Panchayats and 3,857 Gram Panchayats. In addition, Rs 1.45 billion of the withheld portion of the first and second instalments for FY 2024–25 has been released to newly eligible rural local bodies in the state.

For Jharkhand, the Centre has released Rs 2.75 billion as the first instalment of untied grants for FY 2024–25, covering 24 District Panchayats, 253 Block Panchayats and 4,342 Gram Panchayats across the state.

The grants are recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti and released by the Ministry of Finance in two instalments each financial year. Untied grants are meant for local development needs under the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries, while tied grants are earmarked for sanitation, waste management, drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.