LED BY CM PUNJAB CABINET GIVES NOD TO SEVERAL KEY INITIATIVES TO BOOST INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE IN THE STATE
OTS FOR RECOVERY OF OUTSTANDING DUES, 2025 TO BE LAUNCHED FOR THREE MONTHS
Chandigarh, September 24:The Punjab Cabinet led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday gave nod to several key initiatives to boost industry and commerce in the state to further put its economy on the path of high growth trajectory.
A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the Council Of Ministers held here today under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.
Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Cabinet gave approval to introduce Punjab One Time Settlement Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2025 to reduce the compliance burden of legacy cases and will enable trade and industry to enhance their compliance. The Punjab One Time Settlement Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2025 will be implemented from October 1, 2025 and shall remain valid till December 12, 2025. The taxpayers whose assessments have been framed till September 30, 2025, and all the rectification /revision/ amendment of assessment orders have been passed by the Department till September 30th, 2025 under the relevant Act(s) namely Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948, Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, Punjab Infrastructure Development and Regulation Act, 2002 and Punjab VAT Act, 2005, The Punjab Entertainment Duty Act, 1955 and The Punjab Entertainment Tax Cinematography Shows Act, 1954, shall be eligible to apply for settlement under this Scheme.
Under the OTS scheme, 100% waiver on interest, 100% waiver on penalty and 50% waiver on tax amount is being given in cases where the tax due amount is up to Rs. 1 Crore and 100% waiver on interest 100% waiver on penalty and 25% waiver on tax amount is being given in cases where the tax due amount is more than Rs 1 Crore up to Rs 25 Crore. Over and above the tax amount of Rs 25 Crore, 100% waiver on interest, 100% waiver on penalty and 10% waiver on tax amount is being given.
APPROVES OTS FOR RICE MILLERS
The Cabinet also approved to introduce One Time Settlement (OTS) Policy for Rice Mills 2025 as each miller is bound to settle its account with each State Procurement Agency after the milling period is over so that such miller may be considered for the allotment of paddy for custom milling of the next year. Some rice mills over the years have not deposited their outstanding dues due to which these millers have been declared defaulter and legal/arbitration proceedings have been initiated against such millers. Such proceedings have been pending with various Courts/Legal forums since the last many years.
The new OTS has been introduced to minimize the litigation cases of all the agencies, settlement of the cases under the policy so that sick rice units are functional again and revival of industrial units to create more employment opportunities in the State. Likewise, it will also act as a catalyst for smoother and expedite lifting of the paddy from the mandis during the KMS's to benefit the farmers.
APPROVAL TO AMEND THE PUNJAB APARTMENT AND PROPERTY REGULATION ACT, 1995 FOR PLANNED GROWTH
The Cabinet also gave its consent to amend Section 5(1), 5(3) (ii) and Section 5(8) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995. This will ensure the development of colonies/areas in a proper and planned manner thereby mitigating the problems faced by the general public
CONCURRENCE TO AMEND PUNJAB GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (AMENDMENT BILL) 2025
The Cabinet also gave its concurrence to amend Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment Bill) 2025 in order to facilitate taxpayers and to ensure tax compliance by the taxpayers. Pertinently Finance Act, 2025 has amended the provisions of Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 as per the recommendation of GST Council. Similar amendments have to be carried out in the Punjab Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017.
GREEN SIGNAL TO CONSTITUTE EXCLUSIVE NIA COURT AT MOHALI
The Cabinet also gave its consent to constitute an exclusive Special Court at SAS Nagar, Mohali Punjab for NIA cases to avoid delays in their trials. One post of District and Sessions Judge/ Additional District and Session Judge level for constitution of Executive Special Court at Mohali will be created for investigation of cases under Section 22 of the NIA Act at SAS Nagar, Mohali in Punjab. Apart from NIA this court will also be mandated to hear cases from ED, CBI, and other special cases.
RECOMMENDS PROSECUTION SANCTION AGAINST DHARMSOT
The Cabinet also gave approval to recommendation of prosecution sanction against former Minister Sadhu Singh Dharmsot u/s 197 (1) of Code of Criminal Procedure (Section 218 of BNSS 2023) and u/s 19 of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 as amended by P.C (Amendment) Act 2018 and u/s 197 of Code of Criminal Procedure.
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*Adopt Zero-Tolerance Policy Against Forces Inimical to Peace, Progress and Prosperity of the State: CM to CPs/SSPs*
*Chairs a Meeting to Review Law and Order Situation in the State*
*Reiterates Commitment to Maintaining Law and Order*
Chandigarh, September 24 :Reiterating the firm commitment of the state government to maintai law and order, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday directed Commissioners of Police and Senior Superintendents of Police to adopt a zero-tolerance policy against crime and criminal elements.
Chairing a virtual meeting with the CPs and SSPs today, the Chief Minister emphasized that, in view of the upcoming festive season, it is imperative to ensure comprehensive arrangements for maintaining law and order, public safety, and the smooth conduct of events. He noted that the festive season often sees increased activity by miscreants, potential stampedes due to overcrowding, incidents of theft and snatching, and attempts by anti-social or anti-national elements to exploit the situation. To address these challenges, Bhagwant Singh Mann called for proactive and coordinated measures at all levels to ensure the safety and security of citizens.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for uninterrupted traffic flow, effective crowd management, and adequate arrangements for fire safety, medical emergencies, disaster preparedness, and other contingencies. Expressing concern over recent reports of social tension from certain areas, he urged the public to uphold the ethos of communal harmony and brotherhood. Bhagwant Singh Mann cautioned residents against being misled by misrepresented information and directed CPs and SSPs to engage with representatives of various organizations to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain communal peace across the state.
The Chief Minister also flagged the rising concern over radical and inflammatory content circulating on social media platforms. He said such content, often aimed at provoking communal or political tensions, poses a serious threat to public order. Bhagwant Singh Mann called for robust monitoring of social media at the CP and SSP levels, with all such content to be immediately referred to cybercrime units for strict action against those responsible for posting or sharing material that could disturb peace.
The Chief Minister further emphasized the importance of community policing and urged police officials to resolve petty issues at the SHO level. A sustained campaign, he said, must be launched to promote peace and brotherhood throughout the state. This approach, Bhagwant Singh Mann added, will reduce unnecessary litigation and allow the police to focus on their core responsibilities adding that for this institutional mechanism should be framed by the civil and Police administration.
The Chief Minister also lauded the Punjab Police for its continued efforts in the war against drugs under the “Yudh Nasheyan De Virudh” campaign, as well as its strong action against gangsters. He noted that, as a border state, Punjab faces persistent threats from forces inimical to its peace, progress, and prosperity, and urged the police to remain vigilant. Highlighting the police force’s proud legacy, Bhagwant Singh Mann expressed confidence that they would continue to uphold their tradition of effectively dealing with anti-national elements.
On the occasion, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav and other senior officials were also present.
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BHAGWANT MANN GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE FREE WHEAT SEEDS TO FARMERS WITH CROP LOSS ON FIVE LAKH ACRES
STATE GOVERNMENT TO DISTRIBUTE TWO LAKH QUINTAL FREE SEEDS TO FARMERS WORTH RS 74 CRORE
STATE GOVERNMENT WITH THE FARMERS IN THIS HOUR OF CRISIS
Chandigarh, September 24:In a humanitarian move, the Punjab government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has decided to provide two lakh quintal wheat seeds free of cost to the farmers who have lost their crop in around five lakh acres of land during the recent floods.
Divulging the details, the Chief Minister said that the food growers of the state have suffered a whopping loss during the recent floods adding that these two lakh quintal seeds worth Rs 74 crore will be provided free of cost to them. He said that the hard working and resilient farmers of the state had played a key role in making the country self-sufficient in food production. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is fully with the farmers in this hour of crisis and no stone will be left unturned to bail them out.
The Chief Minister said that the state government will provide free seeds of wheat to these farmers for the upcoming Rabi crop. He said that this is a humble effort by the state government to mitigate the woes faced by the farmers due to the devastation caused by the floods. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the destruction caused by these floods is unimaginable and unprecedented as Punjab had never seen such damage before.
The Chief Minister bemoaned that the floods have submerged over 2,300 villages, affected more than 2 million people, and destroyed crops across five lakh acres of land. Tragically, he said that 56 lives were lost, and around seven lakh people were rendered homeless adding that 3,200 government schools were damaged, 19 colleges reduced to rubble, 1,400 clinics and hospitals were ruined, 8,500 kilometers of roads were destroyed, and 2,500 bridges collapsed. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that as per initial estimates, the total damage amounts to approximately Rs 13,800 crore, though the actual figure can be even higher.
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Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs Department to contribute Rs. 41 Lakh towards Chief Minister Relief Fund for flood affected people
Chandigarh, September 24:Extending a helping hand to the flood ravaged people of Punjab in their hour of need, the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department has decided to contribute one day's salary amounting to Rs. 41 Lakh towards the Chief Minister Relief Fund as part of its humanitarian duty.
The officers comprising the Director, Controller Finance & Accounts, Additional Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director, Assistant Director/District Controller, Assistant Controller/Accounts Officer, Food and Civil Supplies Officer, Assistant Food and Civil Supplies Officer and the Inspectors have decided to contribute towards the fund.
A copy of the consent letter of the employees of the department written in this regard to the Director (Treasury) was today handed over to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann by the Minister Incharge of the department Lal Chand Kataruchak.