New Delhi, Nov 3: The union government has released the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants for rural local bodies in Odisha during the financial year 2025–26.

The release includes the second installment of untied grants amounting to ₹342.5964 crores for 20 eligible District Panchayats (Zilla Parishads), 296 eligible Block Panchayats (Panchayat Samitis), and 6,734 eligible Gram Panchayats in the state.

Additionally, ₹101.7815 crores, representing the withheld portion of the first installment of untied grants for FY 2025–26, has been released to 20 eligible Zilla Parishads, 233 eligible Panchayat Samitis, and 649 eligible Gram Panchayats.

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) grants to states for Panchayati Raj Institutions and rural local bodies. The Ministry of Finance subsequently releases these grants in two installment each financial year.

Untied Grants may be utilized by PRIs and RLBs to meet location-specific needs under the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule, excluding salaries and establishment costs. Meanwhile, Tied Grants are to be used for essential services such as sanitation, waste management, and maintenance of ODF status, as well as for drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling.