Gov to Mann: Punjab debt up by 50,000 crore under your rule, show where you spent money

The Governor was responding to Mann’s letter requesting him to take up the issue of pending rural development fund (RDF) amounting to Rs 5,637 crore with the President and the Prime Minister. The Governor said it would be appropriate “to wait for the decision of the Supreme Court” on the state government’s plea on the matter.

In his letter on Thursday, Mann said his government had taken up the matter with the Centre and even at the level of the prime minister, but the RDF dues was yet to be released. He pointed out that because of the non-release of RDF, the mandi board was unable to repay its existing loans and carry out development activities for farmers.

In his response, the governor wrote, “I have received your letter regarding the Rural Development Fund amounting to Rs 5,637 crore and requesting for my intervention to take up the case with the prime minister. At the outset, I would like to convey that I am duty bound to serve the people of Punjab. I have learnt from the media reports that you have already approached the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India before approaching me. It would be appropriate to wait for the decision of the highest court before anything is done on this issue,” he said.

The state government moved the Supreme Court in July on the issue.

The exchange comes amid a thaw in the strained ties between the government and the Raj Bhavan with Mann responding to the letters earlier written by the Governor.

Earlier, the Governor had warned the CM that he will be writing to President for imposing central rule in the state. He had stated that the CM was not responding to the questions raised by him and this was unconstitutional.