The Chief Minister of Punjab Shri Amarinder Singh today met with the Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan in New Delhi. The Chief Minister demanded to expedite pending payments on four specific issues namely ID Cess and Purchase Tax on Wheat (2017-18) stocks in hand as on 30th June 2017; Subsidy under National Food Security Act for 2nd and 3rd quarter 2018; Custody and Maintenance charge for Paddy and Custody and Maintenance charges for wheat stored in Cover and Plinth.
The Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Shri Ram Vilas Paswan provided a point by point reply to the Punjab Chief Minister while assuring him of all possible help in this regard. Regarding the specific demand for ID Cess and Purchase Tax on Wheat (RMS 2017-18) stocks in hand as on 30th June 2017, Rs. 708.26 crore is the admissible amount for Punjab out of which 50% of the amount has already been paid while payment of balance 50% amount for Purchase Tax & ID Cess has been processed and is under examination.
Regarding the demand for Subsidy under National Food Security Act for 2nd and 3rd quarter 2018, Shri Paswan said that due to issues with the submitted advance subsidy claim provided by the State to the Ministry, the claims could not be processed and the State had been advised to submit the bills in the proper format. State has submitted rectified claims on 4.10.2018 which will be examined. Further, for disbursement of subsidy in future, State has been advised to implement PFMS fully as per directive of Ministry of Finance and ensure use of EAT Module by IAs.It was also stated that for the Financial Year 2017-18, 796.33 crores have been released.
Regarding the Custody & Maintenance Charges for Paddy, FCS up to KMS 2013-14 years have been issued by the Department. For future cases, State Government may present their claims during the time of finalization. FCI has also released Rs. 300 crore based on data/information submitted by State Government/Agencies as per FCS. The clarification sought by FCI is being examined.
The Punjab Chief Minister also requested for reimbursement of Custody and Maintenance Charges on the storage of wheat in open plinths in Punjab from the year 2007-08 onwards. Shri Paswan stated that this matter was examined in the Department and since State Govt. of Punjab could not produce any relevant documents/ supporting documents at the time of finalization of Cost Sheet, the Department of Food based on available documents finalized the Cost Sheet. Also, a view has been taken that all the closed issues prior to 2014-15 need not be reopened and there should not be any retrospective review of the decisions already taken.
