The Centre released Rs 680.71 crore as the first instalment of united (basic) grants under the Fifteenth Finance Commission for rural local bodies (RLBs)/Panchayati Raj institutions (PRIs) of West Bengal for the financial year 2025–26, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj said Thursday.

The release was made on October 6, for 3,224 gram panchayats, 335 block panchayats, and 21 zilla parishads across the state, the ministry statement said.

During the previous financial year 2024–25 and current financial year 2025–26, Rs 4,181.23 crore was recommended and released to West Bengal, comprising Rs 2,082.13 crore as untied grants and Rs 2,099.10 crore as tied grants, the ministry said. United grants are flexible funds that can be used for a broad range of local needs, while tied grants are designated

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