Unutilized Panchayat Funds in Maharashtra Addressed Amid Structural Improvements

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has reported significant unutilized panchayat funds in Maharashtra, with district panchayats left with 20.21% of grants, block panchayats at 18.90%, and gram panchayats at 23.39% unutilized. The unutilized funds stem from changes in scope of work and land issues. To enhance transparency, the Ministry has implemented measures such as the eGramSwaraj portal and its integration with the Public Financial Management System for real-time payments. Additionally, an online audit tool has been introduced to ensure proper usage of funds. Maharashtra received tier-wise tied and untied grants from the 15th Finance Commission for FY 2022-2025, distributed based on the State Finance Commission's recommendations.

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APEDA Launches First Sea Shipment of Botanical-Infused Millet Foods to New Zealand

The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the maiden sea shipment of botanical-infused, ready-to-cook millet functional foods from Karnataka to New Zealand. This milestone underscores the expanding opportunities for India's millet-based agricultural exports, bolstered by participation in APEDA-supported international trade fairs. Source: Original Link