In a major crackdown on tax evasion, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced the detection of bogus billing transactions worth Rs 1,549 crore and the blocking of fraudulent Input Tax Credit (ITC) claims worth Rs 108.79 crore during the current financial year.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Cheema credited the aggressive enforcement drive by the Taxation Department and said the AAP-led state government has sent a strong message to tax evaders and their political backers.
Major Seizures and Actions:
- Ludhiana (Gold Transactions): ₹900 crore in fake invoices uncovered, ₹21 crore ITC blocked.
- Mohali, Kharar, Kotkapura (Coal Transactions): ₹226 crore bogus billing exposed, ₹12 crore ITC blocked.
- Ludhiana & Mandi Gobindgarh (Statewide Operation): ₹423 crore in fake transactions revealed, ₹75.79 crore ITC blocked during verification of 195 GST-registered firms.
- Gold Seizure: A vehicle carrying 2 kg of gold without invoice intercepted; investigation ongoing.
Cheema also revealed that a key individual was arrested in a high-profile case involving ₹29.50 crore in fake ITC claims, with inward supplies of ₹163 crore from over 60 bogus or cancelled firms.
Tech-Driven Crackdown
Cheema highlighted the use of 15 data analytics modules developed under an agreement with IIT Hyderabad, with seven more modules to be activated soon.
He credited the success of initiatives like the ‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ scheme, under which 4,880 consumers have won rewards totaling ₹2.89 crore for uploading bills on the ‘Mera Bill’ app.
Recovery and Penalties
Discrepancies detected through these mechanisms have led to penalties amounting to ₹9.07 crore and recoveries of ₹7.20 crore under GST laws.
Political Accountability
Slamming previous governments, Cheema said:
“The Congress, BJP, and Akali Dal used to protect tax evaders. Today, they are panicking as we close in on their cronies. We are recovering what rightfully belongs to the honest taxpayer.”
He further pointed to the AAP government’s strong performance in GST collection, which reached ₹62,733 crore in just three years—nearly matching the ₹63,042 crore collected over five years under the Congress government.
Source from: https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=204032
