New Delhi: The Union government has allocated Rs 448.29 crore to rural local bodies in Karnataka as the first instalment of the 15th Finance Commission grant for the financial year 2024-25, as announced in an official statement. This funding is designated for all eligible 5,949 Gram Panchayats in the state.
The releases are facilitated by the Government of India through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, with the Ministry of Finance overseeing the distribution. The 15th Finance Commission grants are distributed in two instalments each financial year.
These untied grants can be used by Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for specific local needs across 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, excluding salaries and other administrative expenses. The tied grants are earmarked for essential services like sanitation, maintenance of ODF status, household waste management, and drinking water supply, including initiatives for rainwater harvesting and water recycling.
The Indian government aims to enhance rural self-governance by empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and RLBs with these grants. This support fosters effective, accountable, and independent local governance, promoting sustainable development in rural areas.
Aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas,’ this initiative encourages inclusive growth and community participation. Local bodies play a crucial role in India’s development towards achieving a ‘Viksit Bharat.’
The 15th Finance Commission, established on November 27, 2017, provides recommendations on fiscal matters and tax devolution for a five-year period starting April 1, 2020, with recommendations applicable until the financial year 2025-26.