India, Aug. 19 -- Ahead of local body elections in Maharashtra, the state government on Monday issued an order to approve an allocation of Rs.180 crores for various works in several civic bodies across the state.

In the next three to four months, Maharashtra will vote for local body polls, including panchayat samitis, district councils, municipal corporations, and municipal councils in small cities. The urban development department approved funds for the civic bodies, mainly for municipal councils, on Monday.

"Under the central government's scheme 'Special assistance to states for capital investment', state governments are getting funds in the form of a zero-interest loan for 50 years. Accordingly, the approval has been given to allocat...