Punjab cabinet on Monday decided to take up on a priority basis the matter of settlement of legacy accounts regarding the pending cash credit limit (CCl) with the Centre, Reserve Bank of Indian (RBI) and the State Bank of India (SBI).
The decision, to take up the CCl issue with the Central Government, RBI and the SBI “in larger public interest and in view of the state's financial situation”, was taken in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
Punjab government, which has “inherited a huge debt legacy” from the previous Akali-BJP Government, will actively pursue the issue with the Centre, said an official spokesperson after the meeting.
Capt Amarinder, during the previous week, had met the Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely and demanded that the Centre immediately authorise and release Rs20,683 crore CCl for smooth and timely wheat procurement in the state.
The procurement of wheat in the state is slated to commence on April 1.
PROPOSAlS FOR VOTE ON ACCOUNT APPROVED
The state cabinet also approved supplementary grants for the year 2016-17 to be presented before the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the ongoing session. The proposal for seeking Vote-on-Account for 2017-18 in the Vidhan Sabha was also approved. The supplementary grants and Vote-on-Account are scheduled to be presented in the House on March 29.
ADGP-RANK TO CM SECURITY ADVISER
Cabinet has decided to engage the services of retired Inspector General of Police Khubi Ram as Security Advisor to the Chief Minister in the rank of Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), with the entitlement to equivalent status, pay, perks, privileges and allowances, as admissible in such case.