These grants, recommended by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), are issued through the Ministry of Finance. The funds are disbursed in two installments annually and are intended to address location-specific needs of rural local bodies.
The Untied Grants allow Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) to spend on any of the 29 subjects outlined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except salaries and other establishment costs. Meanwhile, Tied Grants are earmarked for critical services such as sanitation and maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, including household waste management and fecal sludge treatment, as well as water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling projects.
The release of XV-FC grants is expected to empower local governance and improve service delivery in rural Assam. It will enable Panchayats and Zilla Parishads to undertake community-driven projects and address local developmental priorities effectively.
Commenting on the initiative, officials emphasized that the strategic use of these funds will significantly boost sanitation, water supply, and other essential rural services. By strengthening local governance, the scheme also promotes transparency, accountability, and participatory decision-making at the grassroots level.
With the grants now released, PRIs across Assam can begin planning and executing projects aligned with the developmental needs of their respective communities, fostering sustainable rural development and improving living standards.
These initiatives align with the Government of India’s broader objective to empower rural local bodies, enhance civic infrastructure, and ensure equitable development across regions. The XV-FC grants form a vital financial mechanism to support decentralized governance and sustainable development at the village and block levels.
