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.