Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said the One-Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for VAT arrears has witnessed an overwhelming response, with 7,845 applications covering dues of around ₹298.39 crore and ₹111.16 crore already recovered.
The cabinet also finalised procurement rates for apples from disaster-hit Dharali and surrounding areas of Uttarkashi district and approved the doubling of the monthly pension for elderly and destitute folk artists and writers in the state.
Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema has said that the state has, for the first time, surpassed the Rs 30,000 crore mark in revenue collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise within the first nine months of a fiscal year.
Darjeeling MP Raju Bista on Saturday criticised the West Bengal government's decision to impose a 12.5 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on air turbine fuel (ATF) at Bagdogra airport, warning it poses a significant threat to the aviation industry's recovery.
By the hike in VAT on diesel, the Congress government has directly increased the economic burden on the people of the state by Rs 1500 crore, said BJP's HP unit chief Dr Rajeev Bindal.
According to a price notification of state oil marketing companies, petrol price was unchanged after 17 consecutive increases, while diesel rates were increased by 48 paise per litre across the country.
The state government had announced on Monday night that it will impose a 70 per cent tax as 'Special Corona Fee' on liquor.
The one-day 'Chakka Jaam' protest by the Sanyukt Sangharsh Samiti is being held as the government failed to listen to their grievances on transport policies.
The fuel pumps will remain closed for nearly 24 hours in protest from 6 am onward on 22 October and remain closed till 5 am on 23 October.
The Akali Dal said strong anguish is building against the indecisive and ambivalent government.
