CM Mann writes to Punjab Governor, wants latter to ‘convince’ PM for release of RDF funds

New Delhi: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday wrote letter to Governor Banwarilal Purohit, giving an account of state government’s expenses and also the reasons behind increase in its debt.

In a surprising departure from established protocol & practices, Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government has sought the assistance of Governor in releasing the ‘pending’ Rural Development Fund (RDF) from the Centre. In the letter, CM Bhagwant Mann has urged the Governor to convince the Prime Minister for releasing PDF funds while also getting a moratorium on debt repayment for 5 years.

“I would also urge upon you to convince Hon’ble Prime Minister to not only release the pending RDF but also accord a moratorium on debt repayment of the State for at least 5 years. This will provide much needed relief to financially strained position of the state,” CM Mann wrote in the letter.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Maan writes to Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, giving details of the increase in debt by his Government.

Bhagwant Maan writes, “I would also urge upon you to convince Hon’ble Prime Minister to not only release the pending RDF but also accord a moratorium… pic.twitter.com/5WeQ3WmHlr

— ANI (@ANI) October 3, 2023

Punjab CM’s letter to Governor amid ongoing fracas between the duo over Rs 50,000 crore debt taken by the state government.

In the three-page letter, the Chief Minister also gives an account of the money spent out of the debt raised by it and blamed the previous governments for passing over huge debt overload. Mann said that his government not only utilized the funds for settling the debt burden left by past dispensation but also all-out steps were taken to consolidate state finances.

“A mammoth amount of Rs 27,016 crore went into the interest payment of debt that his government inherited,” CM Mann said.

Last month, CM Mann had urged the Punjab government to raise the issue of Rural Development Fund (RDF) amounting to ₹ 5,637.40 crore, with President and Prime minister, for early release.

In reply, the Governor demanded that state government first come out with details of expenses it did with Rs 50,000 crore debt, raised by the incumbent AAP dispensation. Governor had said that state government should provide details of optimal utilization of this ‘huge amount’ so as to convince the concerned authority.