State makes fresh plea to Centre over RDF dues

Demanding that the Punjab’s case of seeking Rural Development Fund (RDF) on the purchase of foodgrains for the Centre be examined independently, a high-powered delegation of the state government met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today.

Led by Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and Food and Civil Supply Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, the delegation sought that the Union Finance Ministry should not equate Punjab’s case of seeking 3 per cent RDF with other states contributing foodgrains to the central pool.

The Finance Ministry had reportedly asked the Union Ministry for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution to rationalise the RDF released to all states, following which the state government was told that the RDF would be paid at the rate of 2 per cent. Refusing to accept that, the state has dragged the Centre to the Supreme Court.

“While other states contribute to the central pool the foodgrains left over after keep aside a substantial share for self-consumption, Punjab has been procuring foodgrains on behalf of the Centre since 1967. We urged the Union Finance Minister to give Punjab its due share, which can then be used for building rural infrastructure or upgrading the mandi infrastructure. She has assured us to look into the matter,” Finance Minister Cheema told The Tribune.

At a pre-Budget meeting with the Union Finance Minister recently, Cheema had raised the issue of the Centre owing Punjab Rs 8,000 crore as dues towards unpaid RDF. With its suit over RDF dues pending with the Supreme Court for over a year, the state government has opened the channel of talks with the Centre in the hope of resolving the issue outside the court.