*Major Enforcement Drive in Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna, A Wake-Up Call for Tax Evaders: Harpal Singh Cheema* *Consignments Under Verification; Strict Action to Follow, Sustained Campaign to Ensure Every Rupee Reaches Public Exchequer: Harpal Singh Cheema*
In a sweeping enforcement drive that cast the net wide across Punjab, the Department of Excise and Taxation detained 170 vehicles carrying goods suspected to be in violation of GST provisions. The operation, carried out jointly by all State Investigation and Preventive Units with special focus on Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna, led to the seizure of iron scrap and finished iron/steel goods valued at more than Rs 5 crore.
Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema described the drive as “a wake-up call for those who think they can cut corners and get away with it.” He emphasised that the government is determined to plug every loophole and ensure that tax compliance becomes the rule of the day rather than the exception.
The Taxation Minister said, “We have drawn a line in the sand, those who attempt to move undocumented goods will find the law catching up with them sooner rather than later."
Revealing the details of the enforcement drive, Cheema said, "A substantial number of vehicles were found without proper invoices and prescribed documents, a clear violation of the GST law. The writing is on the wall, Punjab will not allow tax evasion to eat into the state’s revenue. Every legitimate rupee must reach the public exchequer, for it is the lifeblood of development.”
The Minister further informed that the detained consignments are undergoing detailed verification, which is expected to be completed within a week. He said, “Once the dust settles, appropriate action will be taken, including determination and recovery of applicable tax and statutory dues. We will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that violators face the music.”
Underlining that this operation is part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen tax compliance and curb the movement of undocumented goods across Punjab, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “This is not a flash in the pan. It is a sustained campaign to instill discipline in trade practices. The government’s message is loud and clear, play by the rules or pay the price.”
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