Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) said that the Excise and Taxation department has conducted targeted Goods and Service Tax (GST) registration drives to broaden the GST base, resulting in the addition of 46,338 new taxpayers in 2023-24 and approximately 33,000 new taxpayers up to December 2024.

He said that a Statewide campaign has also been launched to educate taxpayers on filing procedures, and compliance benefits.

“To increase tax revenue from registered dealers, the department has ensured proper GST filing and compliance, with 93% of registered taxpayers consistently filing returns on time. The department has also penalised tax evaders, collaborated with IIT Hyderabad to integrate advanced data analytic tools, and implemented adjudication and scrutiny modules to prevent revenue leakages,” the Finance Minister said.

Mr. Cheema said that expanding the GST tax base is crucial for improving revenue, reducing tax evasion, and ensuring a fair taxation system. He said that the Punjab government is committed to achieving this goal through a two-pronged approach of bringing unregistered businesses under GST and enhancing compliance among registered taxpayers.

Pointing out the initiatives taken to promote tax compliance among consumers, the Finance Minister said that the department has extended the Bill Liyao Inaam Pao Scheme and sought the active involvement of school and college students to spread awareness among the younger generation. He said the scheme has successfully imposed penalties worth ₹8.15 crore on non-compliant taxpayers and rewarded 4,106 consumers with ₹2.45 crore for uploading their purchase bills on ‘Mera Bill’ app.

Source: The Hindu