Punjab seeks Centre's intervention on airport connectivity, rural development funds, ETInfra
Chief Minister flags ₹9,000 crore dues with Union Food Minister
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ETInfra
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Friday met Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi and urged the Centre to enhance air connectivity from Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport As per ANI, Kataria highlighted the need to strengthen both domestic and international flight operations from the airport, citing demand from residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.He said the airport functions as a key transit point for the wider northern region and that additional direct international connections would help facilitate business travel, tourism, and regional economic activity.The Union Minister assured that the Ministry would consider the suggestions and coordinate with airlines and airport operators to explore connectivity options and passenger service upgrades.Separately, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann met Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi on Wednesday, seeking the release of the state's pending share under the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Fees, amounting to over ₹9,000 crore.A Punjab government release said Mann raised concerns over the non-allowance of RDF since Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2021–22 and reduced allocation of Market Fees since Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2022–23.Mann said RDF is intended to support agriculture and rural infrastructure such as roads, storage facilities, and mandi automation. Despite amendments to the Punjab Rural Development Act, 1987, in line with the Department of Food and Public Distribution's guidelines, the dues remain unpaid.He said ₹7,737.27 crore under RDF and ₹1,836.62 crore under Market Fees are pending with the Centre.
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