Wed Sep 18 18:47:00 UTC 2024: ## Punjab Government’s Plea for ₹1,000 Crore from Centre to be Heard by Supreme Court
**New Delhi:** The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an interim plea by the Punjab government seeking the immediate release of over ₹1,000 crore from the Centre. This amount is claimed by the state as outstanding dues from the Rural Development Fund.
The Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), is in a legal battle with the Centre over the non-release of the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and the withholding of a portion of the market fee. The state alleges that the Centre owes them over ₹4,200 crore.
The Supreme Court, while ensuring that the plea will be heard on September 2, acknowledged the urgency of the matter. The state’s counsel argued that the RDF and market fee are crucial for the effective functioning of the food grain procurement process. They further stated that Punjab has the constitutional prerogative to determine these fees.
The Supreme Court has not yet issued notice to the Central government on the petition. This development comes as a significant step in the Punjab government’s pursuit of securing the much-needed funds for rural development.
First Piper 