CHANDIGARH: The AAP-led Punjab government is contemplating moving the Supreme Court against the Union government as the Rural Development Fund (RDF) of Rs 4,000 crore it has not been released, sources said.
In a meeting attended by CM Bhagwant Mann and advocate general Vinod Ghai, a sense of urgency over the funds was visible. The state government is rushing against time to have its case listed before the summer vacation of the Supreme Court begins next week.
The Union Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution had earlier reportedly agreed to give 2% RDF and an equal percentage of market fee on Minimum Support Price of wheat and paddy, reducing these from 3% each. These are statutory charges levied by the state government. Until May 3, the provisional cost sheet sent by the Ministry does not mention RDF.
Sources said the Central government is yet to clear the pending RDF of Rs 3,200 crore, besides another Rs 750 crore RDF on the current wheat season is also due. Earlier Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Piyush Goyal while referring to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s January 30 letter on March 27 had stated that the issue had been examined.
“The matter regarding the allowance of RDF @ 3% of MSP is under active consideration of the department,’’ Goyal had then said. On May 9, Mann wrote to Piyush Goyal, saying that the reduction in these levies at this stage would adversely affect the rural economy. “The Mandi Board won’t be able to repay the loans created for the development of rural infra that helps farmers grow and harvest.’’
