RDF release plea pending in SC, Punjab opens talks channel with Centre — with a climbdown

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Thursday reached Delhi wherever helium volition conscionable Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi and sermon the issue. Sources said the authorities has present decided to question an interim magnitude from the Centre had made it wide that it volition lone wage RDF astatine 2 per cent alternatively of 3 per cent, arsenic is being levied by the state.

Punjab levies RDF connected foodgrain it procures for cardinal pool. However, for the past 3 years, the Centre has been withholding the magnitude saying it tin lone wage 2 per cent, RDF, a connection that the authorities had earlier refused.

At the clip successful 2023 erstwhile authorities moved the Supreme Court alleging non-release of the RDF and withholding a information of the marketplace fee, Centre owed it Rs 4,200 crore. The pending RDF has present ballooned to Rs 6,767 crore. An further magnitude of Rs 1300 crore has been added connected relationship of procurement of paddy, taking the full magnitude to Rs 8,000 crore.

“We person decided to inquire the Centre to wage immoderate amount. They person already offered to wage america 2 per cent. By that measure, we merit to get astatine slightest Rs 5,400 crore retired of the full Rs 8,000 crore. Our Mandi Board is abbreviated of funds. It needs wealth for attraction of the atom markets and the nexus roads. If the authorities gets immoderate money, we tin commencement immoderate works,” said an official.

The authoritative added that the authorities volition proceed its ineligible combat successful the apical tribunal for its rightful 3 per cent RDF.

The Supreme Court had archetypal listed the state’s plea for a proceeding connected September 2 and aboriginal connected September 19. However, it was not heard. Advocate General Gurminder Singh had past said, “We person pleaded that the Centre is liable to wage america RDF. The suit determination whitethorn instrumentality time. The RDF is simply a committed liability and astatine slightest Rs 1,000 should beryllium credited immediately”.

In its plea, Punjab has said that Centre is obligated to wage the interest which is constitutionally levied by the state. The specified information that this interest is being paid successful respect of acquisition, which the authorities is carrying retired for the Centre, does not successful immoderate mode alteration this underlying constitutional/ ineligible position.

It has contended that the Centre’s actions are besides successful usurpation of the Modified Fixation Principles that admit the autonomy of the authorities to find the fees to beryllium levied and subsequently reimbursed with by the suspect (Union authorities of India).

The suit says that Punjab volition endure if Centre is allowed to discontinue the outgo of the marketplace fees and the statutory fee, astatine the complaint determined by state. The simplification of the statutory charges astatine this signifier would adversely impact the agrarian infrastructure and economy. Further, the Punjab State Agricultural Marketing Board/ Punjab Development Board volition not beryllium capable to wage the loans/ liabilities created for improvement of agrarian infrastructure successful respect of the outstanding payments accrued connected relationship of the marketplace fees and RDF.

“Thus, determination exists a dispute, involving questions of instrumentality and fact, betwixt the plaintiff authorities and the suspect Union of India, regarding the encroachment of jurisdiction and encroachment of ineligible rights arsenic a state. Hence, this archetypal suit nether Article 131 of the Constitution of India is being preferred,” the suit said.

Earlier, the authorities had climbed down from its basal connected seeking wealth nether National Health Mission by agreeing to alteration facade of fractional of its Aam Aadmi Clinics arsenic per the centre’s directions. It had besides agreed to motion up for PM-Shri strategy for schools.