Release market fee accrual, RDF: Punjab to Centre

The Punjab government has once again urged the Centre to release pending dues related to market fees and the Rural Development Fund (RDF). In a letter addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan last week, Punjab Food and Civil Supplies Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak highlighted that the state has been repeatedly requesting the release of these funds for the past three years spanning seven procurement seasons, including both rabi (wheat) and kharif (paddy).

Punjab is seeking market fees at a rate of 3%, but the Centre has been disbursing funds at only 2%, resulting in a significant shortfall. According to the state government, ₹1,100 crore remains pending since 2021. The backlog covers four paddy procurement seasons (2021–2024) and three wheat procurement seasons (2022–2024).

Kataruchak emphasized that despite numerous reminders, the dues have not been cleared, putting additional financial strain on the state’s procurement and rural development efforts. The issue of reduced market fee disbursement has been a persistent point of contention between Punjab and the central government.