Fund boost for state's rural water, sanitation system
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 30 2021: As per recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission, the Centre would be sanctioning Rs 414 crore tied grant to rural local bodies (RLBs) /panchayats for improving water and sanitation system in the course of five years, 2021-22 to 2025-26.The Central government tied the grant of Rs 1,42,084 Crore to rural local bodies (RLBs) / panchayats for water and sanitation for the five years 2021-22 to 2025-26, as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission for bringing a huge impact on ensuring these services in villages, so as to improve public health and quality of life in rural areas.

Out of the entitled Rs 414 crore, Manipur will get Rs 78 crore in 2021-22, Rs 82 crore in 2022-23, Rs 82 crore in 2023-24, Rs 88 crore in 2024-25, and Rs 86 crore in 2025-26.Among the northeast states, Rs 540 crore will be sanctioned to Arunachal Pradesh, Rs 3752 crore to Assam, Rs 426 crore to Meghalaya, Rs 218 crore to Mizoram, Rs 292 to Nagaland, Rs 100 crore to Sikkim, and Rs 448 crore to Tripura.

The Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance has issued the Guidelines for release and utilization of grants recommended by the 15th Finance Commission for RLBs/PRIs during the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 .

The Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (DDWS), Ministry of Jal Shakti will act as the nodal Department for determining the eligibility of the rural local bodies for the '15th FC tied grant for water & sanitation' and recommend release of tied grant for water & sanitation, to the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance for all States.

Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation has recommended for release of 1st instalment of tied grant to 25 States for water & sanitation activities & onward transfer to RLBs/PRls.

With Rs 50,000 crore budgetary support by Government of India, Rs 30,000 crore states' share for Jal Jeevan Mission and this year's grant allocation of Rs 28,000 crore under the 15th Tied grant for water and sanitation, more than Rs one lakh crore fund is available for making provision of piped water supply in villages.

This will gave a huge impact on the rural economy.

To help and enable RLBs/panchayats to perform their functions as recommended by the 15th Finance Commission, State Water & Sanitation/Rural Water Supply/Public Health Engineering Departments will provide technical assistance to these Panchayats/ RLBs.

To simplify and help RLBs/panchayats, the Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation, Ministry of Jal Shakti has prepared a manual for utilization of these funds and the same has been made available to all state governments.

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