Chandigarh, April 1 -- The Union government has released Rs.332.46 crore as a 15th Finance Commission grant for the 2025-26 financial year to rural local bodies in Punjab.

The grant has been released for 13,231 eligible gram panchayats, 150 block panchayats, and 22 zila parishads to strengthen rural governance in the state.

The second instalment of the 15th Finance Commission tied grant for the financial year was released on March 27, according to the Union ministry of panchayati raj.

The tied grants can be used for basic services such as sanitation and the maintenance of open defecation-free (ODF) status, including the management and treatment of household waste, and faecal sludge management. Rural local bodies are also allowed to uti...