Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, expressing resentment over pending funds, has refused to join the July 27 Niti Aayog meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. CM Mann announced to boycott of the meeting on Thursday.
Speaking to the media in Jalandhar, Mann expressed his disappointment with the union budget presented on July 23, which he felt neglected Punjab's interests. He argued that Punjab deserved special status but was instead denied its rightful share of funds.
Mann cited specific examples of withheld funds, including Rs 6,000 crore in rural development funds and National Health Mission funds. He also mentioned the non-disbursal of Punjab's share in GST collections. He questioned the purpose of attending the Niti Aayog meeting, given the central government's actions.
"Punjab should have been given the special status. But the situation is such that Punjab's rights have also not been given. That is why we will boycott the Niti Aayog meeting in which all the chief ministers have been called by the prime minister on July 27," the chief minister said.
"We know their intention. They have withheld our rural development fund, which is about Rs 6,000 crore. They have withheld our National Health Mission funds. They do not give (state's) share in the GST. Whenever they need to deduct any funds, they do it from Punjab's funds. Then what will we do there (Niti Ayog meeting)," he added.
