The North News
Chandigarh, February 19
The government of Punjab has attached 136 properties worth ₹91.10 crore as part of a drive to recover pending pre-GST tax arrears said Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Cheema said the action reflects the administration’s approach of combining trade facilitation with strict enforcement. The government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has also introduced a One Time Settlement (OTS) policy aimed at allowing traders to clear legacy dues.
“The Punjab Government is deeply committed to ensuring a harassment-free and conducive business environment,” Cheema said, urging traders to make use of the OTS scheme to settle outstanding liabilities.
At the same time, he warned that “wilful tax evasion will not be tolerated”, adding that the attachment of properties sends a “clear message” to persistent defaulters.
According to official figures shared by the minister, the 136 attached properties are valued at ₹91.10 crore. Of these, 78 properties worth ₹50.58 crore are located within primary districts, while 58 properties worth ₹40.52 crore are situated in other districts, states or union territories.
The department has already recovered ₹15.27 crore through auctions. Permission has been granted to sell 35 properties valued at ₹33.77 crore, with final auction dates fixed for 21 properties worth ₹13.68 crore. District authorities have also initiated auction proceedings for 15 additional properties.
Recovery certificates for 24 properties amounting to ₹10.61 crore have been issued and are pending with the concerned Deputy Commissioners, Cheema said.
He added that enforcement action has prompted several licensees and sureties to begin depositing arrears to prevent their properties from being auctioned.
The minister said auctions where dates have already been fixed would proceed if taxpayers fail to take advantage of the One Time Settlement policy.
