Punjab Excise and Taxation Department Boosted with Modern Infrastructure to Combat Tax Evasion and Illicit Liquor Trade – Harpal Singh Cheema

Chandigarh, September 25:

Punjab’s Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, announced today that the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, has equipped the State Intelligence and Preventive Unit (SIPU) of the Excise and Taxation Department, as well as Excise Enforcement Units, with state-of-the-art technology and essential infrastructure to crack down on tax evaders and those involved in the illegal liquor trade.

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema flagged off 24 new Innova cars for the department at the Excise and Kar Bhawan, highlighting their role in aiding SI operations to apprehend tax evaders and individuals engaged in illegal liquor activities. He emphasized that these vehicles would greatly assist the excise enforcement unit’s field officers, contributing to their enhanced performance. The Finance Minister also affirmed the government’s commitment to providing the necessary technology and equipment to further bolster the teams’ effectiveness. During the event, the Finance Minister handed over the car keys to the drivers and participated in a cake-cutting ceremony.

Encouraging departmental officials and employees to elevate their performance, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema commended the Punjab Government’s dedication, along with the Excise and Taxation Department’s unwavering team spirit, which has led to remarkable achievements over the past year and a half. He emphasized his continuous monitoring of every officer and employee’s performance within the department to ensure that their commitment and facilities do not wane, preserving the upward trajectory of success.

Reiterating his commitment to strengthen the state’s revenue sources, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema underscored that every possible effort is being made to restore Punjab’s former glory and transform it into “Rangla Punjab.” He cited the launch of mobile apps like ‘Mera Bill’ by the Tax Department and ‘Excise Label Citizen’ by the Excise Department, designed to engage the public in this mission.

The event also saw the presence of Finance Commissioner Kar Vikas Pratap, Tax Commissioner Arshdeep Singh Thind, and Excise Commissioner Varun Ruzam, among others.

The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department’s modernization efforts reflect the government’s commitment to curbing tax evasion and illicit liquor trade while streamlining revenue generation processes.