Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Union government has sanctioned Rs 12.40 crore to Goa as the first instalment of untied grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XVFC) for the financial year 2024–25, aimed at boosting grassroots governance and rural infrastructure.
As per official information, the funds will benefit both District Panchayats in the state along with 191 eligible Gram Panchayats. The allocation is meant to support local development initiatives, particularly in areas such as sanitation, water supply, and other essential civic services.
This latest release comes after the Centre last month disbursed Rs 18.61 crore, which had been pending under the XVFC grants for 2023–24. The total allocation for that financial year stood at Rs 58 crore.
Figures from the Union Ministry of Panchayati Raj indicate that Goa has received around Rs 221 crore so far under the XVFC cycle spanning 2020 to 2026, out of an approved total of Rs 368 crore.
For the current financial year 2024–25, the Centre has earmarked Rs 62 crore for the state, with the initial tranche now released. In addition, about Rs 61 crore has been set aside for the ongoing fiscal cycle.
Officials clarified that untied grants provide flexibility to local bodies to address region-specific requirements, whereas tied grants are allocated for key services such as maintaining Open Defecation Free (ODF) status, managing solid and liquid waste, and ensuring access to safe drinking water, including initiatives like rainwater harvesting and recycling.
