Chandigarh, August 15: The Punjab government has called for the immediate release of ₹9,821 crore in long-standing Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues, detailing a comprehensive timeline of ministerial delegation visits to New Delhi to address the issue. State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema clarified during a press interaction in Chandigarh that the state has engaged continuously with central ministries over the past two years.
The dispute centers on the 3 percent RDF component linked to central grain procurement, which the state utilizes to build and upgrade rural roads and agricultural market yards.
“A total of ₹9,821 crore of RDF is outstanding to Punjab from the Central Government,” Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated. “The Government of India procures wheat and paddy at MSP (Minimum Support Price), on which 3 percent RDF money is to be provided as per the rules.”
Rebutting assertions that state authorities had not formally approached central ministries, the Finance Minister enumerated multiple meetings held with central leadership.
“On January 10, I met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, following which CM Bhagwant Singh Mann met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on January 17,” Finance Minister Cheema maintained. “On April 10, the Chief Minister again met Union Consumer Affairs and Food Minister Prahlad Joshi, and on June 30, I once again requested Nirmala Sitharaman to release the funds.”
He noted that Union Minister Prahlad Joshi had previously assured state representatives that a joint meeting with key ministries would be convened to address the allocation.
“Despite this, neither have the funds been released nor has any positive step been taken,” the Finance Minister asserted.
He further emphasized that administrative reforms enacted by the current state government guarantee complete transparency in fund usage.
“The Aam Aadmi Party Government, in 2022, duly amended the law and stipulated that RDF money would be spent only on improving farmers’ mandis and rural roads,” Finance Minister Cheema stated, reaffirming the state’s resolve to pursue the pending allocations for rural development.
