A high level delegation from Punjab met the Union Finance Minister; An appeal was made to immediately resolve the issue of RDF and MDF.

Chandigarh: Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, MP Vikramjit Singh Sawhney and Chief Secretary KAP Sinha met the Union Finance Minister to resolve the issues related to Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Development Fund (MDF). Met Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi. During this, he stressed on the need to soon release the pending payment of RDF and MDF worth Rs 7000 crore. These funds are extremely important for the maintenance of agricultural marketing infrastructure of Punjab.

meeting details

While giving information to the journalists, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that in this meeting the challenges faced by the state due to delay in payment of RDF and MDF were discussed. He said that these funds have special importance for the development of Mandi Board, roads connecting Mandis and other agricultural marketing related infrastructure.

special status of punjab

Cheema said Punjab, being a decentralized procurement (DCP) state, could not compare the RDF and MDF with other non-DCP states. The market infrastructure of Punjab has evolved over the past several decades, which has been instrumental in improving procurement processes.

He also informed that due to the huge infrastructure of Punjab, the state requires more RDF/MDF as compared to other states. With the help of these funds the state has been able to develop an extensive road network to connect remote villages to markets, but now funds are required for maintenance and recarpeting of these roads.

need immediate solution

Cheema stressed the need to resolve the issue on priority, saying that if there is a delay in releasing funds, the state’s infrastructure and crop procurement process may get affected. He expressed hope that the Central Government will take the matter seriously and will soon release the pending payments of RDF and MRIF for the sustainable development and maintenance of agricultural infrastructure of Punjab.

This meeting represents an important effort to strengthen the agriculture sector of Punjab.