Punjab Government on Monday released Rs 760 crores to clear pending the arrears against power subsidy for farmers, besides others payments towards agriculture and allied activities.
With this, all the pending bills towards the Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods and Services Tax (GST) would also be cleared. VAT or GST refunds have been cleared up to July 20, 2018, with disbursal of Rs 17 crores, said the government’s official spokesperson.
The spokesperson said that the bulk of the payment released by the Finance Department, that is Rs 400 crores, relates to the subsidy for Punjab State Power Corporation limited (PSPCl) to ensure free power to farmers, as announced by the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
The Government also released Rs seven crores to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) for externally aided projects.
The Finance Department has also cleared the retiral dues of its pensioners, besides general provident fund (GPF) advance of its employees up to May 31, 2018, amounting to Rs 230 crores.
To maintain the state’s development momentum, Rs 26 crores has been released for various development projects under the centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS), and payment of Rs 18 crores has been released for minor works up to July 20, 2018.
All bills of offices for medical reimbursement, petrol, oil and lubricants, water and electricity, office expenses submitted in various treasuries up to July 20, 2018, amounting to Rs 60 crores, have also been cleared, said the spokesperson.