Central govt targeting Punjab by slashing RDF, says Manpreet

CHANDIGARH : Finance minister Punjab Manpreet Singh Badal on Thursday said Centre has intentionally slashed the rural development fund (RDF) on paddy purchase from 2% to 1%, as an arm-twisting tactic due to the ongoing farmers’ protests at the borders of national capital. Farmers have been demanding repeal of three farm laws passed in Parliament in September 2019.

Manpreet was speaking to the media after unveiling credit plan of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural development (NABARD) for 2021-22. A sum of Rs. 2.5 lakh crore has been sanctioned for Punjab out of which 58% (Rs. 1.45 lakh crore) is set aside for agriculture sector.

“Can an income tax payee say he doesn’t want to pay the tax or would pay only a portion asking the income tax department to give a justification? This has happened with Punjab, as the Centre is asking us to justify the tax we charge from government of India on paddy,” questioned Manpreet, adding that Centre was targeting the state, causing a loss of at least Rs 800 crore from paddy crop alone.

Dr Rajiv Siwach chief general manager NABARD informed that the projected credit requirement for 2021-22 represents an overall growth of 9% over the projections for 2020-21.