Centre Releases Over Rs 15000 Crore For RLBs In 28 States

New Delhi: The Ministry of Finance on Thursday released Rs. 15187.5 crore as grants-in-aid for rural local bodies (RLBs) in the country.

The grants-in-aid forms part of the Tied Grant as recommended by 15th Finance Commission for 2020-21 financial year. The grant has been released for 2.63 lakh RLBs in 28 States to facilitate various developmental works concerning supply of drinking water, rain water harvesting, water recycling, sanitation and maintenance of ODF status.

Giving this information, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Narendra Singh Tomar said the release of this fund is meant to help the RLBs to face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fund will boost effective delivery of basic services to the rural citizens and also empower the RLBs in providing gainful employment to migrant laborers who have returned to their native places owing to COVID-19 as well as in augmenting rural infrastructure.