Chandigarh, Feb. 21 -- The Punjab government on Thursday sought over Rs.5,400 crore towards pending incidental expenses - including mandi labour charges, interest differential and gunny bag costs - incurred during the rabi and kharif procurement seasons from 2021-22 onwards that have not been reimbursed by the Centre as per rates fixed by the jute commissioner and the Punjab Mandi Board.

Officials said this demand is over and above the Rs.9,000 crore in pending rural development fund (RDF) and market fee arrears on foodgrain procurement to be recovered from the Centre.

These issues were raised in a meeting in Chandigarh with Union secretary food and public distribution, Sanjeev Chopra, on Thursday evening. Punjab chief secretary KAP and...