Urban Development and Housing Minister Bhupendra Singh has informed that Rs 646 crore has been released to speed up the development works in urban bodies and to strengthen their financial position.

Rs 65 crore has been released to the urban bodies under one-time grant for basic services to the local bodies and Rs 64 crore has been released as compensation amount due to implementation of VAT system.

Similarly, according to the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission, grant (Tide Grant) amounting to Rs 310 crore 20 lakh has been released. Urban bodies will be able to use this amount for drinking water supply and solid waste management. Also, according to the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission, a grant (Untied grant) of Rs 206 crore 80 lakh has been released. This amount can be used for development works by fixing priority according to the local requirement.