The Centre has declined the demand of Punjab Governmentregarding DBT scheme for wheat procurement.
This was stated here by a Group of Ministers from Punjab,who called on Union Food & Civil Supplies Minister Mr. Piyush Goyal to getthe decision of DBT and online land record for payments scrapped. Thedelegation was comprised of Punjab’s Food & Civil Supplies MinisterMr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu, FinanceMinister Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Public Works Minister Mr. Vijay InderSingla, Mandi Board’s Chairman Mr. Lal Singh and Principal Secretary Food &Civil Supplies Mr K.A.P. Sinha.
Giving details about meeting Mr. Bharat Bhushan Ashu saidthat the group of ministers held detailed discussions with the Union Ministerregarding wheat procurement in a congenial manner. Mr. Ashu also apprised thatthe Centre had postponed the decision of online land record, to make paymentsto farmers, for six months.
Referring to the issue of DBT, Online Land records, Mr Ashupointed out that besides these issues detailed deliberations were held in themeeting pertaining to Rural Development Fund, early release of funds to Punjabunder various schemes by the Government of India and lifting of its food grainsstock by Centre from Punjab. He also stated that the Punjab had urged the UnionMinister to release the remaining amount under Rural Development Fund. Onseeking the utilisation of funds released under this scheme, the PunjabMinisters apprised Mr. Goyal that all the funds released earlier had been spentas per provisions. They also urged that an audit could be conducted but theUnion Minister asked to resubmit the report relating to funds incurred underRDF after that the balance two percent amount would also be released.
The Union Minister also assured the Group of Minister forrelease of pending funds of Punjab towards Centre shortly.
Mr. Ashu mentioned that a meeting with Arthiyas would beheld on April 9 amid present context to explore the new mechanism on the saidissues.