Punjab Passes Resolution Demanding Centre To Release Rural Development Fund, Threatens To Move SC

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also warned that the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government would approach the Supreme Court if the money is not released within a week’s time

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann warned that the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government would approach the Supreme Court if the money is not released within a week’s time.

The Punjab Assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution over the central government “withholding more than Rs 3,600 crore in the Rural Development Fund. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also warned that the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government would approach the Supreme Court if the money is not released within a week’s time, reported news agency PTI. Mann said, "RDF is our right, we are not begging.” This comes after the Punjab government accused the BJP-led Centre of not releasing Rs 3,622.40 crore from the Rural Development Fund.

Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian moved the resolution in the house, which said, "This House recommends to the state government to approach the central government for the release of withheld RDF (Rural Development Fund) amounting to Rs 3,622.40 crore,” PTI reported.

The resolution further said the house directed the state government to approach the Centre immediately so as to continue with the uninterrupted developmental activities for the welfare of farmers and the rural population of Punjab.

"Due to the non-release of the Rural Development Fee for the last four seasons such as Kharif market season 2021-22, Rabi market season 2022-23, Kharif market season 2022-23 and Rabi market season 2023-24 by the Government of India, the rural development works of Punjab are being adversely affected," the resolution further stated.

Meanwhile, the Punjab assembly on Monday introduced the Sikh Gurdwaras (Amendment) Bill 2023 to ensure a 'free telecast' of Gurbani from the Golden Temple.
The Punjab Cabinet has already approved an amendment to the British-era Sikh Gurdwaras Act of 1925.

'Gurbani' is a term generally used by Sikhs to refer to different kinds of compositions by the Sikh Gurus and other writers of Guru Granth Sahib. At present, Gurbani is broadcast from the Sikh shrine by PTC, a private channel often linked to the Shiromani Akali Dal's Badal family.