Centre Releases Rs 150.20 Mn XV-FC Grants for Mizoram RLBs

19 Jan 2026 CW Team

The funds will benefit all 808 eligible Village Councils across Mizoram, enabling them to address local development priorities more effectively. The XV-FC grants are aimed at strengthening rural governance and improving the delivery of essential services at the village level.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of XV-FC grants to states for rural local bodies. Based on these recommendations, the Ministry of Finance releases the funds. As per the established mechanism, the allocated grants are released in two instalments during a financial year, subject to the fulfilment of stipulated conditions.

Untied grants provide flexibility to rural local bodies, allowing them to utilise the funds for location-specific felt needs under the twenty-nine subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. These grants, however, cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenditures. The objective is to ensure that village councils can prioritise development works that directly benefit local communities.

In addition to untied grants, tied grants under the XV Finance Commission framework are earmarked for basic services. These include sanitation and the maintenance of open defecation-free (ODF) status, covering the management and treatment of household waste, human excreta and faecal sludge. Tied grants can also be used for drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and water recycling initiatives.

The latest release underscores the Centre’s continued focus on empowering rural institutions and improving the quality of life in villages through targeted fiscal support.

The Union Government has released Rs 150.20 million to rural local bodies (RLBs) in Mizoram under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV-FC) grants, providing a financial boost to grassroots governance in the state. The amount has been disbursed during the financial year 2025–26 and represents the second instalment of untied grants for the financial year 2024–25.The funds will benefit all 808 eligible Village Councils across Mizoram, enabling them to address local development priorities more effectively. The XV-FC grants are aimed at strengthening rural governance and improving the delivery of essential services at the village level.The Government of India, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of XV-FC grants to states for rural local bodies. Based on these recommendations, the Ministry of Finance releases the funds. As per the established mechanism, the allocated grants are released in two instalments during a financial year, subject to the fulfilment of stipulated conditions.Untied grants provide flexibility to rural local bodies, allowing them to utilise the funds for location-specific felt needs under the twenty-nine subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. These grants, however, cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenditures. The objective is to ensure that village councils can prioritise development works that directly benefit local communities.In addition to untied grants, tied grants under the XV Finance Commission framework are earmarked for basic services. These include sanitation and the maintenance of open defecation-free (ODF) status, covering the management and treatment of household waste, human excreta and faecal sludge. Tied grants can also be used for drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting and water recycling initiatives.The latest release underscores the Centre’s continued focus on empowering rural institutions and improving the quality of life in villages through targeted fiscal support.

Infrastructure Transport

19 Jan 2026

Indian Railways Steps Up Track Modernisation, Safety Drive

Indian Railways has made significant strides in modernising its track infrastructure and strengthening safety standards through sustained investment and focused execution over the past eleven years. These initiatives have played a crucial role in enabling safer, faster and more reliable train operations across the national network.During the financial year 2024–25, track renewal works were completed across 6,851 track kilometres. In the current financial year 2025–26, more than 7,500 track kilometres are undergoing renewal, while plans are in place to cover 7,900 track kilometres in 2026�..

Infrastructure Transport

19 Jan 2026

PM Modi Dedicates Rs 8.30 Bn Waterways, Rail Projects in Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated, laid the foundation stone of and flagged off multiple development projects worth more than Rs 8.30 billion at Singur in Hooghly district, West Bengal, giving a major boost to rail and inland waterways infrastructure in the state. The projects are aimed at strengthening multimodal connectivity, improving cargo movement and accelerating regional economic growth.Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister said that after visiting Malda a day earlier, he was pleased to interact with people in Hooghly. He emphasised that the development of eastern India is..

Infrastructure Urban

19 Jan 2026

Dr Jitendra Singh Launches India’s First Open-Sea Fish Farming Project

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, launched India’s first-ever open-sea Marine Fish Farming project in the Andaman Sea, marking a major milestone in harnessing the country’s vast ocean resources for economic growth. The project was inaugurated at North Bay, Vijaya Puram, during the Minister’s field visit to the open waters of the Andaman Sea.Describing the initiative as a significant step towards realising the Blue Economy vision articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Dr Jitendra Singh said the project re..