Punjab Cabinet approves OTS scheme for recovery of dues

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The North News

Chandigarh, September 25

Punjab’s Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has approved a series of measures aimed at boosting industry, reducing litigation and strengthening governance in the state. At a meeting in Chandigarh on Wednesday, the Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the Punjab One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2025, which will run from October 1 to December 12. The scheme offers waivers on penalties, interest and portions of tax to help businesses clear legacy dues under multiple Acts, including the Punjab VAT Act and the Central Sales Tax Act.

The Cabinet also introduced a separate OTS policy for rice mills, aimed at settling long-pending disputes with procurement agencies. Officials said the move would revive sick units, reduce court cases, and ensure smoother paddy lifting during the kharif marketing season, benefitting farmers. Other decisions included amendments to the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995 to promote planned urban development and approval to amend the Punjab GST Amendment Bill, 2025, aligning state provisions with changes made by the GST Council.

The Cabinet also cleared the creation of a special NIA court in Mohali to expedite trials in cases handled by the National Investigation Agency, as well as Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI cases.

In another significant move, the Cabinet recommended prosecution sanction against former minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Code of Criminal Procedure. Officials said the measures reflected the government’s push to strengthen compliance, improve industry confidence and deliver swifter justice.