Punjab govt taps departments for Rs 1,441 crore amid financial crunch, PPCB objects

As the government struggles to fill its empty coffers, the state government has directed various departments to deposit a collective amount of Rs 1,441.49 crore by today. The decision was taken following a meeting held on Wednesday. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), an autonomous body, has also been directed to transfer Rs 250 crore to the state treasury by today. The move has irked PPCB employees and pensioners. They wonder why this development has taken place shortly after the stay imposed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on the ambitious land pooling policy.

The meeting minutes show that Forest and Wild Life Conversation has been directed to deposit Rs 84 crore, School Education (Secondary) Rs 62.49 crore, Excise And Taxation Rs 35 crore, Department of Good Governance and Information Technology Rs 60 crore, Department Of Food, Civil Supplies And Consumer Affairs Rs 115 crore, Department Of Industries and Commerce would deposit a whopping Rs 734 crore, Department of Horticulture Rs 20 crore, Department of Science Technology and Environment Rs 272 crore, which mentions non-NGT funds out of surplus of PPCB may be considered for transfer amounting to Rs 250 crore, Department of Home Affairs and Justice Rs 41 crore, Department Of Social Security and Development Of Women and Children Rs 18 crore.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary KAP Sinha regarding deposits of amounts lying in department bank accounts.

Lovneet Dubey, interim member secretary of PPCB, confirmed the development and said they received directions to deposit Rs 250 crore. He added the matter was under consideration, and the amount hadn’t been transferred yet since PPCB is an autonomous body.

Sukhwant Singh, who retired as Deputy Controller of Finance and Accounts from PPCB, said two attempts were made by the previous government to withdraw money during his term. “In one incident, I rejected a proposal to transfer Rs 15 crore to the state treasury. In another, I recovered Rs 15 crore given as a loan with interest,” Singh said.

PPCB is an autonomous body that doesn’t receive government funds. He said back deposits are crucial for disbursing salaries, pensions, and other benefits to employees and initiating development projects in the board. Singh said PPCB authorities should stop this direct attempt to drain funds by the state government to fill its empty coffers.

Despite repeated attempts, Reena Gupta, the current PPCB chairperson facing criticism from opposition parties for being a political appointee from Delhi, was unavailable for comments.