Responding to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s request to advocate for the release of pending Rs 5,367 crore Rural Development Fund (RDF) from the Central Government besides addressing one percent reduction imposed on the Market Development Fund (MDF), Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit on Friday asked him to await the Supreme Court’s order on the “sub-judice” matter.
Expressing his dedication to serving the people of Punjab, Purohit pointed out that the matter regarding RDF is currently “sub-judice”. He, in a letter to the Chief Minister, noted that the State Government had already approached the Supreme Court on this issue, emphasizing the importance of allowing the judicial process to unfold before taking any further actions.
“It would be appropriate to wait for Supreme Court’s decision before anything is done on the issue,” he said.
At the same time, the Governor raised concerns regarding the substantial increase in Punjab’s debt during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s 18-month tenure, amounting to approximately Rs 50,000 crore.
The Governor questioned the utilization of this significant sum, seeking detailed information from the Chief Minister on how these funds have been allocated and spent, while contending that such information is crucial in convincing the Prime Minister that these funds have been used responsibly for the benefit of Punjab’s residents.
“I have learnt that the debt of Punjab rose by about 50,000 crore during your regime. Details of utilization of this huge amount may be furnished to me so that I will be able to convince the Prime Minister that the money has been properly utilized,” he said in the letter.
Notably, a day before, the Chief Minister had shot off a communique to the Governor requesting his intervention in securing the release of Rs 5,637 crore RDF funds from the Central Government. Mann urged the Governor to represent Punjab's case to the President and Prime Minister, while underscoring the financial strain experienced by Punjab Mandi Board due to the delay in receiving the RDF.
Mann also highlighted that the Central Government's decision to reduce the Rural Development Fee (RDF) from three percent to two percent had resulted in a loss of Rs 400 crore for Punjab over two seasons.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister criticized the Central Government for issuing a flawed procurement sheet for wheat purchases during the 2023-24 season, leading to an additional loss of Rs 265 crore for Punjab.
Mann emphasized the crucial role of the responsible utilization of RDF funds in the development of the agricultural sector and the welfare of farmers. He called on Governor Purohit to address the issue with the President and Prime Minister to expedite the release of the pending funds.
The ongoing dispute over the RDF funds carries significant implications for Punjab's financial stability and its ability to carry out essential development projects. The exchanges between Chief Minister Mann and Governor Purohit highlight the complexity of the issue and its substantial impact on Punjab's rural economy and the livelihoods of its farmers.