Kolkata, Jul 15 (PTI) The West Bengal government on Monday directed the gram panchayats to make use of the unutilised funds allocated by the Centre so far in the current fiscal within August 15, an official said.

The Panchayat Department also asked the gram panchayats to finalise the tenders for necessary rural projects within the next 15 days, he said.

Also Read | Telangana Local Body Elections: Government Mulls Hike in Backward Class Quota for Upcoming Polls.

Following the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, the Centre has so far allocated Rs 3,123 crore to the state in the 2024-25 fiscal, he said.

"Only 27 per cent of the allocated funds have been spent till July 2. The general elections this year also impacted the expenditure," the official told PTI, adding, 103 blocks were among the laggards in this regard.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Shocker: Man Kills Wife in Bulandshahr in Domestic Row.

The funds are utilised for various infrastructural work, including the installation of tubewells and construction and renovation of rural roads.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)