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. Blaming the previous government for the current impasse, Barsat alleged that RDF was diverted for non-budgetary purposes, including the farm loan waiver during Amarinder Singh's government. "Because of the shortcomings of the previous governments, the present government is bearing the brunt," he said. Barsat said the state repeatedly urged the Centre to clear the outstanding dues but was forced to approach the Supreme Court after receiving no response. "We were forced to file a petition in the Supreme Court. The Centre's reply in the court is still awaited," he said, adding that if the Union government agrees, Punjab is willing to negotiate and withdraw the petition. He said that there are 20 petrol pump sites owned by the Mandi board, which will be auctioned. He further said that the board is constructing four new mandis at Budhlada, Bareta, Khandewas and Mehmadpur, taking the total number of procurement centres to 1,872 in the state....