The Supreme Court of India announced it will address an urgent plea from the Punjab government on September 2nd, concerning the release of over Rs 1,000 crore in pending rural development funds from the Central government. This interim plea is part of a larger ongoing lawsuit against the Centre, with significant financial implications for the state’s agricultural and rural development sectors.
Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra are set to hear the case, as confirmed by Shadan Farasat, the lawyer representing the state government. Despite the apex court’s website not listing the matter as scheduled for September 2, Farasat was assured it would be included on the docket.
The AAP-led government of Bhagwant Mann claims that the Centre has withheld significant sums owed to Punjab, totaling over Rs 4,200 crore, including funds from the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and portions of market fees. These funds are crucial for the procurement process in the state, which the government argues is a constitutional right given the state’s autonomy in setting rates for market fees and RDF.
