Centre agrees to release pending payment of Rs 950 cr to Punjab on priority

Distressed over financial losses to the state because of non-reimbursement of expenditure incurred over transportation and purchase of gunny bags, Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu on Wednesday met the Union Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan and sought his immediate intervention to expedite the matter.

Conceding to Punjab’s long pending demand, the Centre agreed to release the pending payment of Rs 950 crore out of which 50 percent would be released immediately and the remaining would also be released on priority, informed Ashu.

He added that Punjab has been included as a member in the Committee, formed to look into transportation cost related issues.

“During the Central pool procurement operations, the State Government and its agencies have to suffer loss of approximately Rs 1,100 crore for paddy and Rs 300 crore for wheat every year. Being a member of the said Committee will definitely give an edge to the State to resolve the transportation cost related issues,” said Ashu.