The Punjab authorities has determined to open a channel with the Union authorities to hunt launch of an interim quantity of Rs 5,400 crore, pending with Centre on account of Rural Improvement Charge (RDF) and towards paddy procurement that concluded just lately.
This comes even because it waits for the Supreme Courtroom to listen to its interim plea searching for launch of over Rs 1,000 crore urgently by the Centre towards the RDF.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Thursday reached Delhi the place he’ll meet Union Meals Minister Pralhad Joshi and focus on the difficulty. Sources mentioned the federal government has now determined to hunt an interim quantity from the Centre had made it clear that it’s going to solely pay RDF at 2 per cent as a substitute of three per cent, as is being levied by the state.
Punjab levies RDF on foodgrain it procures for central pool. Nonetheless, for the previous three years, the Centre has been withholding the quantity saying it may possibly solely pay 2 per cent, RDF, a proposal that the state had earlier refused.
On the time in 2023 when state moved the Supreme Courtroom alleging non-release of the RDF and withholding a portion of the market price, Centre owed it Rs 4,200 crore. The pending RDF has now ballooned to Rs 6,767 crore. An extra quantity of Rs 1300 crore has been added on account of procurement of paddy, taking the overall quantity to Rs 8,000 crore.
“Now we have determined to ask the Centre to pay some quantity. They’ve already provided to pay us 2 per cent. By that measure, we should get not less than Rs 5,400 crore out of the overall Rs 8,000 crore. Our Mandi Board is wanting funds. It wants cash for upkeep of the grain markets and the hyperlink roads. If the state will get some cash, we will begin some works,” mentioned an official.
The official added that the state will proceed its authorized battle within the high court docket for its rightful 3 per cent RDF.
The Supreme Courtroom had first listed the state’s plea for a listening to on September 2 and in a while September 19. Nonetheless, it was not heard. Advocate Normal Gurminder Singh had then mentioned, “Now we have pleaded that the Centre is liable to pay us RDF. The swimsuit willpower might take time. The RDF is a dedicated legal responsibility and not less than Rs 1,000 ought to be credited instantly”.
In its plea, Punjab has mentioned that Centre is obligated to pay the price which is constitutionally levied by the state. The mere proven fact that this price is being paid in respect of acquisition, which the state is finishing up for the Centre, doesn’t in any method change this underlying constitutional/ authorized place.
It has contended that the Centre’s actions are additionally in violation of the Modified Fixation Ideas that acknowledge the autonomy of the state to find out the charges to be levied and subsequently reimbursed with by the defendant (Union authorities of India).
The swimsuit says that Punjab will undergo if Centre is allowed to discontinue the fee of the market charges and the statutory price, on the price decided by state. The discount of the statutory costs at this stage would adversely have an effect on the agricultural infrastructure and financial system. Additional, the Punjab State Agricultural Advertising Board/ Punjab Improvement Board will be unable to pay the loans/ liabilities created for growth of rural infrastructure in respect of the excellent funds accrued on account of the market charges and RDF.
“Thus, there exists a dispute, involving questions of regulation and truth, between the plaintiff state and the defendant Union of India, concerning the encroachment of jurisdiction and encroachment of authorized rights as a state. Therefore, this unique swimsuit below Article 131 of the Structure of India is being most popular,” the swimsuit mentioned.
Earlier, the state had climbed down from its stand on searching for cash below Nationwide Well being Mission by agreeing to vary facade of half of its Aam Aadmi Clinics as per the centre’s instructions. It had additionally agreed to join PM-Shri scheme for faculties.
