Punjab Urges Supreme Court for Immediate Release of Rs 1,000 Crore RDF Dues

The Punjab government has appealed to the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing regarding the release of over Rs 1,000 crore in dues from the Centre, related to the Rural Development Fund. Despite previous assurances, the hearing was delayed, prompting the need for immediate judicial intervention.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday acknowledged an interim plea from the Punjab government, which urgently seeks the release of over Rs 1,000 crore owed by the Centre toward the Rural Development Fund (RDF).

Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra were informed by a Punjab government counsel that the plea had initially been listed for hearing on September 2 but was not taken up. The counsel emphasized the necessity for an immediate hearing, suggesting that a notice be issued to the Centre to expedite their response. While the Chief Justice agreed to list the application for hearing, no notice was issued to the Centre.

Earlier, senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing Punjab's AAP government, had also requested an urgent hearing. The plea, originally filed in 2023, claims that the Centre owes Punjab over Rs 4,200 crore in RDF and market fees, which are crucial for the state's procurement process.

(With inputs from agencies.)