Guwahati: The Union Government has released ₹213.9 crore to Assam as part of the 15th Finance Commission Untied Grants for rural local bodies for the financial year 2025–26, marking a significant boost to grassroots governance and rural development in the state.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma welcomed the move and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the timely release of funds. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister said that the allocation would strengthen rural local bodies and accelerate development at the grassroots level.
“Gratitude to Adarniya @narendramodi Ji for releasing ₹213.9 crore to strengthen rural local bodies in Assam. This timely intervention by Hon’ble @nsitharaman ji will accelerate grassroots development and help fulfil Assam’s aspirations,” the Chief Minister wrote.
According to official sources, the released amount constitutes the first instalment of the annual allocation under the 15th Finance Commission framework. The funds have been disbursed to all eligible Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the state.
The allocation has been distributed among 2,192 eligible Gram Panchayats, 182 eligible Block Panchayats, and 27 eligible Zilla Parishads in Assam. The release follows recommendations from the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Officials stated that the Untied Grants can be utilised by Panchayati Raj institutions and rural local bodies to address location-specific developmental requirements. These include projects related to the 29 subjects listed under the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. However, the funds cannot be used for salaries or other establishment-related expenditures.
In addition to the Untied Grants, the 15th Finance Commission framework also provides for Tied Grants, which are earmarked for the delivery of basic civic services. These include sanitation initiatives, maintenance of Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, household waste management, treatment of human excreta, and faecal sludge management.
Tied Grants can also be utilised for drinking water supply projects, rainwater harvesting systems, and water recycling initiatives, aimed at improving public health and living conditions in rural areas.
State officials noted that the timely release of funds is expected to empower local self-governments and accelerate development initiatives at the village, block, and district levels. The financial support is also seen as a crucial step in strengthening decentralised governance and ensuring effective implementation of development programmes across rural Assam.
The latest allocation underscores the Centre’s continued focus on strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions and enhancing service delivery at the grassroots, while supporting Assam’s broader development aspirations.
