Chandigarh, April 16: On the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Captain AmarinderSingh, the Finance Department on Friday released the pending arrears amountingto Rs. 151.45 Crore to the Artiyas.
Disclosing this, a spokesperson of the Chief Minister saidthat the Food Corporation of India (FCI) was supposed to pay the arrears toabout 5000 Arthiyas but due to delay on its part, the Punjab governmentreleased the same from state exchequer to ensure smooth and hassle free wheatprocurement during ongoing Rabi Marketing Season.
It may be recalled that before the commencement of wheatprocurement, the Arthiyas had requested the Chief Minister to settle theirarrears immediately on which Captain Amarinder Singh directed the FinanceDepartment to release the due payment without waiting for the payment by FCI.Subsequently, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu pursued thematter and settled the arrears of Arthiyas.
It is further pointed out that the Finance Department hasreleased an amount of Rs. 151.45 crore on the condition that the Food and CivilSupplies Department would ensure crediting the amount back to the stateexchequer whenever it is returned by FCI.
It may be mentioned here that around 5000 Arthiyas did notcomply with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS) during the KharifMarketing Season 2019-20. Resultantly, the commission of arhtiyas to the extentof Rs 151.45 crore has been withheld by the FCI. The Chief Minister had assuredthe President of Federation of Arthiyas Association of Punjab Vijay Kalra thatthe state government would always stand by the arhtiyas.