Supreme Court to hear Punjab govt’s plea against Centre

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will list for hearing the Punjab government’s interim plea seeking release of Rs 1,000 crore from the Centre as arrears of rural development fund. During the hearing of a bench of Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice J B Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Mishra, the counsel for the Punjab government said that the interim petition was listed for hearing on September 2, but it could not be heard.

Seeking an urgent hearing, the counsel said a notice should be issued to the Central government on the plea so that a reply can be filed before the matter begins hearing.

The CJI said the petition would be listed for hearing but did not issue notice to the central government. The apex court had on August 30 assured the Punjab government that it would hear the plea on September 2.

The state government has filed an interim application against the Centre seeking immediate release of over Rs 1,000 crore as an interim measure. The Punjab government had in 2023 moved the apex court accusing the Centre of not releasing the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and withholding a part of the market fee.