Harpal Singh Cheema raised Punjab’s financial rights in the Assembly, questioning pending RDF payments and honorarium for Anganwadi and Mid-Day Meal workers.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has criticised the Centre over what he described as policies that are affecting the financial rights and interests of Punjab. Raising the matter in the Assembly, Cheema questioned the Centre over the alleged withholding of Rural Development Fund (RDF) payments and the long-pending issue of honorarium for Anganwadi and Mid-Day Meal workers.
Cheema also sought answers from BJP leaders on these issues, arguing that Punjab should receive its legitimate financial dues without unnecessary delays.
Cheema Raises Issue of Pending RDF Payment
Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the issue of pending RDF payments during the discussion in the Punjab Assembly. According to the minister, withholding funds meant for the state has an impact on Punjab’s financial resources and development-related activities.
He questioned the Centre’s approach towards Punjab and demanded clarity on the release of the state’s pending funds.
ਪੰਜਾਬ ਦੇ ਹੱਕਾਂ ‘ਤੇ ਡਾਕਾ ਪਾਉਣ ਦੀ ਕੇਂਦਰ ਦੀ ਨੀਤੀ ਨੂੰ ਵਿਧਾਨ ਸਭਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਬੇਨਕਾਬ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ। RDF ਦੀ ਰੋਕੀ ਅਦਾਇਗੀ, ਆਂਗਣਵਾੜੀ ਅਤੇ ਮਿਡ-ਡੇਅ ਮੀਲ ਵਰਕਰਾਂ ਦੇ ਮਿਹਨਤਾਨੇ ਵਿੱਚ 15 ਸਾਲਾਂ ਤੋਂ ਵਾਧਾ ਨਾ ਕਰਨ ਵਰਗੇ ਮੁੱਦਿਆਂ ‘ਤੇ ਭਾਜਪਾ ਤੋਂ ਜਵਾਬ ਮੰਗਿਆ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।
ਕੇਂਦਰ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਸਿਰਫ਼ ਵਾਹ-ਵਾਹ ਖੱਟਣ ਲਈ ਯੋਜਨਾਵਾਂ ਦਾ ਐਲਾਨ… pic.twitter.com/wwjBX6oFic
— Adv Harpal Singh Cheema (@HarpalCheemaMLA) August 6, 2026
Anganwadi and Mid-Day Meal Workers’ Honorarium
Cheema also raised concerns over the honorarium received by Anganwadi and Mid-Day Meal workers. He claimed that there has been no adequate increase in their honorarium for around 15 years.
The minister said these workers perform important responsibilities under welfare and nutrition-related programmes and that their financial concerns should receive due attention.
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Centre Accused of Shifting Financial Burden to States
The Punjab Finance Minister further criticised the Centre’s approach to centrally supported schemes. He alleged that the Centre announces schemes and programmes to take credit for them but shifts a significant part of the financial responsibility to state governments when it comes to implementation.
Cheema argued that such an approach puts additional pressure on state finances and limits the ability of states to manage their own development priorities.
BJP Asked to Answer on Punjab’s Financial Issues
Harpal Singh Cheema also called upon BJP leaders to respond to the concerns raised by the Punjab government. He questioned why the state’s financial issues were not being adequately addressed at the central level.
According to Cheema, the BJP should clarify its position on the alleged withholding of RDF payments and the concerns surrounding the honorarium of Anganwadi and Mid-Day Meal workers.
Punjab Will Not Compromise on Its Rights: Cheema
Cheema asserted that Punjab would continue to raise issues concerning the state’s financial rights and legitimate dues. He maintained that the state government would not compromise on matters affecting Punjab’s interests.
The minister’s remarks have once again brought the Centre-state financial relationship, RDF payments and the honorarium of frontline scheme workers into the political debate in Punjab.
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