Chandigarh, June 17 -- The Centre owes Punjab Rs.9,821 crore in pending Rural Development Fund (RDF) dues for the last 10 crop procurement seasons -from the 2021 rabi season to 2026 kharif (paddy) season, Mandi Board chairman Harchand Singh Barsat said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, Barsat said that the state government has fulfilled all conditions laid down by the Union ministry of food and public distribution for the utilisation of the RDF and amended the Rural Development Act accordingly, yet the pending amount remains unreleased.

The state government is seeking the release of 3% RDF levied on the foodgrain procurement. Currently, the Punjab government collects a 3% mandi fee on the procurement and purchase ...