Punjab Achieves 21.51% Surge in Net GST Collections Despite Adverse Conditions: Harpal Singh Cheema

State collects Rs 15,683.59 crore in Net GST from April to October 2025

Despite widespread floods and rationalisation of tax rates under GST 2.0, State’s 21.5% growth far exceeds national average of 7%

Chandigarh, November 2 :In a remarkable display of fiscal resilience and administrative efficiency, Punjab has recorded a 21.51 percent increase in Net GST collections up to October 2025, alongside a robust 14.46 percent growth for the month of October alone. Revealing this in a press communique issued here, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema lauded the State’s performance despite widespread floods and the recent rationalisation of tax rates under GST 2.0.

Giving the details of the growth, the Finance Minister said that the state collected Rs 15,683.59 crore in Net GST from April to October 2025, compared to Rs 12,907.31 crore during the same period in the previous fiscal year (FY), with an impressive gain of Rs 2,776 crore. By contrast, the growth rate up to October 2024 in FY 2024-25was a modest 3.80 percent, he added.

The Finance Minister further revealed that the state's Net GST collection for October 2025 stood at Rs 2,359.16 crore, marking a significant rise from Rs 2,061.23 crore in October 2024, registering Rs 298 crore increase that reflects the State’s continued economic momentum. He emphasised that this achievement comes in the wake of GST 2.0 reforms implemented in September 2025, which lowered several tax slabs.

"Despite these reduction in tax slab and facing severe floods, Punjab’s GST revenue surged, underscoring the success of enhanced compliance, anti-evasion initiatives, and digital monitoring mechanisms. State’s 21.5 percent growth far exceeds the national average of 7 percent, placing the State among the top performers in North India", said Cheema.

He further added that post-settlement figures of SGST and IGST further affirm Punjab’s fiscal strength, with cumulative receipts growth up to October 2025, surpassing all neighbouring States except Haryana. This performance, the Finance Minister said, reflected the resilience of Punjab’s trade and industry, especially given that nearly half of the State’s districts were flood-affected during this period.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema attributed the results to the Excise & Taxation Department’s strategic focus on data analytics, digital integration, and rigorous field enforcement. He reiterated the Department’s commitment to facilitating compliance for honest taxpayers, cracking down on evasion, and driving Punjab’s economic revival through transparent and efficient tax governance.

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PUNJAB’S 4th BATCH OF 50 HEADMASTERS EMBARK ON LEADERSHIP TRAINING AT IIM AHMEDABAD

• The batch to undergo intensive training program from November 3 to 7, says Harjot Singh Bains

• 5th batch of Headmasters scheduled for training from December 15, announces Education Minister

Chandigarh, November 2:Reinforcing its commitment to educational excellence, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government, on Sunday, sent fourth batch of 50 headmasters to the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad for a specialised leadership training program.

While sharing this information today, Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains informed that the 4th batch will undergo rigorous one-week training program from 3rd to 7th November 2025, focused on "Leadership and Mentorship Skills," designed to transform them into catalysts of change within their schools.

The momentum will continue with the 5th batch of headmasters scheduled for training at IIM Ahmedabad from December 15 to 19, 2025, announced S. Harjot Singh Bains, while stating that this initiative is a pivotal part of CM Mann led Punjab Government's strategic investment in educational leaders to equip them with world-class management and mentorship skills to foster excellence at the grassroots level.

The Education Minister further shared that the Punjab School Education department has sent 234 principals and education officers to Singapore, 152 headmasters to IIM Ahmedabad and 144 primary teachers to the University of Turku, Finland to bring global and national expertise and the best practices to Punjab’s education sector.

S. Harjot Singh Bains stated, “Sending our educators to top-tier institutions like IIM Ahmedabad is a strategic investment. We are providing them with the tools to not only manage schools but to inspire fellow teachers, bring innovation in classrooms, and ultimately, shape the future of our children. This is a foundation stone of our government’s commitment to building a new, knowledge-driven Punjab.”

Echoing the similar sentiments, Administrative Secretary School Education department Ms. Anindita Mitra emphasised that the training program is creating a strong cadre of visionary educational leaders. This strategic upskilling of human capital is poised to empower Punjab’s school leaders to navigate the challenges of 21st-century education, paving a way for a brighter future for every student across the state.

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OVER 1000 PENDING CASES RESOLVED DURING TWO-DAY GMADA CAMP: HARDEEP SINGH MUNDIAN

HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT MINISTER DIRECTS CONTINUOUS REVIEW OF GMADA OPERATIONS TO AVOID UNNECESSARY DELAYS IN SERVICES

SERVICES BEING PROVIDED WITH FULL TRANSPARENCY, ASSERTS MUNDIAN

Chandigarh/SAS Nagar, November 2:Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian today informed that more than 1000 pending cases of citizens and other stakeholders were resolved to their satisfaction during the two-day special camp organized by the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA). The initiative aimed to clear long-pending cases across various branches in a time-bound and citizen-friendly manner.

Sharing details of the second and concluding day’s proceedings, the Cabinet Minister said that cases pending in the Estate Office, Accounts Branch, Planning Wing and other sections were effectively settled after due process. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Housing and Urban Development Department is ensuring complete transparency and efficiency in delivering public services to citizens and other stakeholders.

Applicants whose cases were resolved on the spot expressed their satisfaction and appreciated this citizen-centric initiative, lauding the Punjab Government for holding the camp even on weekend holidays (Saturday and Sunday), adding that such arrangements are highly beneficial as many citizens are unable to visit GMADA offices on regular working days due to personal engagements.

GMADA Chief Administrator Ms. Sakshi Sawhney informed that the two-day camp was organized under the directions of Principal Secretary Mr. Vikas Garg with the objective of eliminating pendency of cases. She said that similar camps would be organized in the future as per requirement. Expressing gratitude to the entire GMADA team for ensuring the success of the initiative, she reaffirmed to providing seamless and hassle-free services to the public.

She further informed that as per the instructions of Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Hardeep Singh Mundian, regular reviews of work in various branches will now be conducted to prevent any undue delays in service delivery.

Mr. Amrinder Singh Malhi, Additional Chief Administrator, Mr. Hardeep Singh, Estate Officer (Housing)-cum-Land Acquisition Collector, Mr. Ravinder Singh, Estate Officer (Plots), besides officials and employees from the Planning Wing, Land Office, Accounts Branch, Licensing Section and Engineering Wing resolved cases related to their respective departments on the spot during the camp.

Under Dr. Baljit Kaur’s leadership, Punjab takes a major stride towards eliminating child begging

704 children rescued and rehabilitated under Project JIWANJYOT

DNA testing initiated under JIWANJYOT 2.0 to curb child trafficking

Chandigarh, November 2:Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Punjab Government has so far rescued 704 children from the clutches of child begging under its flagship initiatives Project JIWANJYOT and Project JIWANJYOT 2.0. These projects are aimed at ensuring the rehabilitation, protection, and dignified life of every child in the state. The initiative stands as a remarkable example of Punjab Government’s commitment towards strengthening child protection mechanisms.

Sharing more details, Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, said that Project JIWANJYOT, implemented across Punjab since July 2024, focuses on conducting monthly rescue drives during the second week of every month by district administrations. The rescued children are being rehabilitated through various welfare schemes depending upon their age, eligibility, and availability of documents.

Highlighting the government’s firm stance against exploitation, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that to prevent human trafficking and organized begging rackets, the State Government launched Project JIWANJYOT 2.0. Under this initiative, DNA tests are being conducted to verify the relationship between the rescued children and the adults accompanying them. If DNA results do not match, FIRs are registered and strict legal action is taken against the offenders.

Out of the 704 rescued children, 269 have been enrolled in schools, 15 admitted to Anganwadi centres, 43 benefited under the Sponsorship Scheme, and 15 covered under health schemes.

Speaking about the initiative, Dr. Baljit Kaur said, “Every child deserves a safe and dignified childhood. Through Project JIWANJYOT, the Punjab Government is not only rescuing children from exploitation but also ensuring that they are provided education, healthcare, and a future filled with hope.”

Reiterating the government’s commitment, she added that the Punjab Government is fully dedicated to protecting the right to education, health, and dignity of every child, ensuring a begging-free, safe, and respectful childhood for all children in the state.

Dr. Baljit Kaur appealed to the public that if anyone sees a child begging, they should immediately inform the Child Helpline at 1098 so that the child can be rescued and given a safe childhood.

Let us all join hands to make Punjab a child-begging-free state where every child enjoys a safe, secure, and dignified childhood.

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350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji: Light and Sound Shows to Begin from November 4: Tarunpreet Singh Sond

- Elaborate arrangements made for devotees at Pathankot, Jalandhar, Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib

- Shows to depict the life, philosophy and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji

- Light and Sound Shows to continue across all districts of Punjab till November 20

Chandigarh, November 2:Punjab Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond has announced that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is commemorating the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji with utmost devotion and grandeur across the state. As part of these commemorations, Light and Sound Shows showcasing the life and legacy of the ninth Guru will commence from November 4 in various districts of Punjab.

The Minister informed that the inaugural shows will be held on November 4, 2025, from 6 PM onwards at Lamini Stadium in Pathankot, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Jalandhar, Polo Ground in Patiala, and Sports Stadium Madhopur in Fatehgarh Sahib. All necessary arrangements have been completed for the smooth conduct of these shows, which will continue in all districts till November 20.

Sond further stated that through these Light and Sound Shows, the entire life journey, spiritual philosophy, and supreme sacrifice of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, who stood for the protection of faith and righteousness, will be vividly portrayed. He added that this initiative aims to acquaint the younger generation with the glorious history and teachings of the great Guru. The Minister urged devotees and families to attend these shows and witness these historic presentations.

He also mentioned that the series of events dedicated to the 350th Martyrdom Anniversary of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji commenced on October 25 from the historic Gurdwara Sri Sis Ganj Sahib, New Delhi. As part of the ongoing celebrations, the Punjab Government will also organize four Nagar Kirtans from November 19 to 22, beginning from Srinagar, to honor the Guru’s supreme martyrdom.