15th FC grant to improve basic amenities, grassroots governance
Shillong, March 31: The Centre has released Rs 49.2 crore to Meghalaya as grant under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) for strengthening grassroots governance and improving basic amenities across rural and autonomous council areas.
Along with Meghalaya, the XV FC Tied and Untied Grants for 2025-26 were released to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)/Rural Local Bodies (RLBs) in Telangana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Mizoram.
The grants are meant to further empower grassroots governance and enable need-based local development in PRIs.
Meghalaya has been allocated Rs 27 crore as the second instalment of untied grants, which will be utilised by the three Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) in Khasi Hills, Garo Hills, and Jaintia Hills for locally identified development needs, according to an official release.
Besides, Rs 22.2 crore has been released as tied grants for 816 eligible village councils, including those under ADC jurisdictions, to support essential services such as sanitation, waste management, and drinking water supply.
The funds are part of a broader Rs 1,500-crore disbursement by the Union government to six states, but Meghalaya’s allocation is specifically aimed at empowering its unique grassroots governance system anchored in traditional institutions.
Untied grants provide flexibility to local bodies to address area-specific priorities across sectors listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, while tied grants are earmarked for critical services like maintaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, solid and liquid waste management, and water supply infrastructure.
Officials said the release is expected to strengthen local governance mechanisms, particularly in rural and tribal areas, where Autonomous District Councils and village councils play a key administrative role.
The grants were recommended by the Ministries of Panchayati Raj and Jal Shakti and released by the Ministry of Finance as part of the Centre’s ongoing push to deepen decentralised governance.
