The minister said, “The Punjab government is deeply committed to ensuring a harassment-free and conducive business environment. This is precisely why we have extended the One-Time Policy, offering traders a golden opportunity to amicably settle their pre-GST arrears.”
File Photo: IANS
Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led AAP government is firmly balancing trade facilitation with strict tax compliance, as the Punjab Taxation Department has attached 136 properties worth ₹91.10 crore in a major drive to recover pending pre-GST arrears. He stated that while the government has extended a highly beneficial One-Time Policy to help traders clear legacy dues, strong enforcement measures are being carried out against persistent defaulters.
The minister said, “The Punjab government is deeply committed to ensuring a harassment-free and conducive business environment. This is precisely why we have extended the One-Time Policy, offering traders a golden opportunity to amicably settle their pre-GST arrears.”
Advertisement
He further said, “However, willful tax evasion will not be tolerated. The attachment of 136 properties worth over ₹91 crore sends a clear message that the Taxation Department is relentlessly pursuing major defaulters. I strongly urge all concerned traders to immediately avail themselves of the benefits of the One-Time Policy to resolve their pending dues and save their properties from imminent auction.”
Advertisement
Sharing official data regarding the arrears summary as of February 18, 2026, the Minister noted, “The department has attached a total of 136 properties valued at ₹91.10 crore across various jurisdictions. This includes 78 properties worth ₹50.58 crore located within the main districts, along with 58 properties valued at ₹40.52 crore situated in other districts, states, or Union territories. Additionally, some properties have already been auctioned, resulting in a recovery of ₹15.27 crore.”
He further elaborated, “The Head Office has already granted permission to sell 35 properties worth ₹33.77 crore. Of these approved cases, final auction dates have been fixed for 21 properties valued at ₹13.68 crore. District authorities have also undertaken auction proceedings for an additional 15 properties worth ₹16.42 crore, and formal permission for their sale is currently in process.”
“To ensure comprehensive cross-jurisdictional recovery, recovery certificates have been issued and are pending with the concerned Deputy Commissioners for 24 properties amounting to ₹10.61 crore. The mounting pressure from these enforcement actions is yielding tangible results, as several licensees and sureties have begun depositing their arrears to halt the impending auction of their assets,” he added.
The minister warned, “The Taxation Department is closely monitoring the recovery process. The final auction of properties for which dates have already been fixed will proceed strictly as scheduled if the taxpayers with outstanding pre-GST arrears fail to utilise the ongoing One-Time Settlement (OTS) Policy.”
Advertisement
