Bhagwant Mann Boycotts Niti Aayog Meeting Over Budget Snub and Withheld Funds

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann announced his boycott of the July 27 Niti Aayog meeting chaired by PM Modi, criticizing the lack of budget allocation for Punjab and the withholding of state funds. He accused the Centre of political vendetta and called for Punjab's rights to be recognized.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday declared his boycott of the upcoming Niti Aayog meeting, set to be chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 27, over the Centre's failure to allocate any budgetary provisions for the state. Mann accused the BJP-led NDA government of withholding crucial funds, including the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and National Health Mission funds, further exacerbating the state's financial woes.

Addressing the media in Jalandhar, Mann expressed his frustration over the Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on July 23, which made no mention of Punjab despite its significant contributions to the country's food grain supply and freedom struggle. The Chief Minister criticized the Centre for not granting Punjab special status and for consistently deducting state funds, including their share of the GST.

Mann highlighted that members of the INDIA bloc, where state governments are ruled by opposition parties, have collectively decided to boycott the Niti Aayog meeting. Citing political vendetta, Mann revealed that Punjab has approached the Supreme Court over the pending allocation of RDF. Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) condemned Mann's decision, urging him to reconsider and instead present Punjab's case at the meeting.

(With inputs from agencies.)