Centre Releases Rs 448 Crore Grant For Rural Local Bodies In Karnataka

New Delhi: The Union government has released Rs 448.29 crore for the rural local bodies in Karnataka as the first instalment of the 15th Finance Commission grant to the state during the Financial Year 2024-25, according to an official statement issued on Friday.

These funds are for all eligible 5,949 Gram Panchayats of the state, the statement mentioned. The Government of India through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation) recommends the release of 15th-FC Grants to States for Rural Local Bodies which are then released by the Ministry of Finance. The allocated grants are recommended and released in two instalments in a financial year. The Untied Grants will be utilized by Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) for location-specific felt needs, under the 29 subjects enshrined in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, except for salaries and other establishment costs. The Tied Grants can be used for the basic services of (a) sanitation and maintenance of ODF status, and this should include management and treatment of household waste, and human excreta and faecal sludge management in particular and for the supply of drinking water, rainwater harvesting and water recycling.