PUNJAB ACHIEVES REMARKABLE 22.35% GST GROWTH IN 1ST HALF OF FY 25-26: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA
STATE REGISTERS GROSS GST COLLECTIONS OF RS 13,971 CRORE DURING APRIL–SEPTEMBER 2025
SAYS, STATE OUTPERFORMS NATIONAL AVERAGE AMID ECONOMIC HEADWINDS
Chandigarh, October 2-Highlighting the remarkable success of the state's Taxation department, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, on Thursday announced that the state registered gross GST collections of Rs 13,971 crore during the first half of the financial year (April–September 2025), a substantial increase compared to Rs 11,418 crore collected in the same period last year, reflecting a significant growth rate of 22.35 percent.
Revealing this in a press communique issued here, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that over the first six months of this financial year, state has recorded a Gross GST revenue growth of Rs 2,553 crore as compared to the corresponding period last year. He said that state’s year-on-year GST growth rate has risen dramatically from just 5 percent in first half of FY 2024–25 to an impressive 22.35 percent in FY 2025–26. He said that this figure far exceeds the national GST growth rate of around 6 percent, unequivocally underscoring the success of Punjab’s revenue mobilisation efforts. “In addition to GST, Punjab has also shown encouraging results in other indirect tax categories. Collections under VAT and CST increased by 10 percent, while the Punjab State Development Tax (PSDT) registered a growth of 11 percent during September 2025 compared to the same month last year”, said Cheema.
Mentioning the impact of recent GST rationalization, the Finance Minister said that Punjab’s performance has proven to be much stronger than the national average. “While most other states recorded negative growth trends in September 2025, Punjab continued to show resilience and reported double-digit growth. In September 2025 alone, the State collected Es 2,140.82 crore, up from Rs 1,943 crore in September 2024, marking an increase of Rs 197.82 crore and a growth rate of 10 percent, a sharp improvement compared to the modest 5 percent growth seen in the same period last year”, he added.
Attributing the success to the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to curb tax evasion and strengthen the State’s financial position, the Excise and Taxation Minister said that the Taxation Department significantly intensified its enforcement actions against tax evasion from April to September 2025. During this period, Rs 246 crore of ineligible Input Tax Credit (ITC) was blocked across 1,162 taxpayers. Furthermore, four major FIRs were lodged against fraudulent networks, including scams of Rs 500 crore in Ludhiana and Rs 550 crore in Fatehgarh. “Penalty collections from road checking and inspections by the State Intelligence and Preventive Units (SIPUs) surged sharply, rising from Rs 106.36 crore in April–September 2024 to Rs 355.72 crore in April–September 2025”, said the Minister while adding, “This increase of Rs 249.36 crore reflects a remarkable 134 percent growth in enforcement-driven collections.”
Appreciating the dedicated efforts of the Taxation Department, whose rigorous enforcement drives and reform measures have been instrumental in achieving this outstanding performance, positioning Punjab as one of the leading states in GST growth, the Finance Minister highlighted that this achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenging economic environment. “Punjab successfully navigated a war-like situation in May 2025 that disrupted business and trade, faced additional hurdles from the tariff impact on exports, and contended with weak consumer demand that slowed down retail transactions during mid-August and September”, said Cheema while adding that the state not only sustained revenue growth but also achieved record-breaking results despite these adverse factors.
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PUNJAB SETS A NEW RECORD OF 22.35% GST GROWTH IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS
PUNJAB'S REVENUE IS STEADILY INCREASING: HARPAL SINGH CHEEMA
Chandigarh, October 2-Highlighting the remarkable success of the state's Taxation department, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister, Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, on Thursday announced that the state registered gross GST collections of Rs 13,971 crore during the first half of the financial year (April–September 2025), a substantial increase compared to Rs 11,418 crore collected in the same period last year, reflecting a significant growth rate of 22.35 percent.
Revealing this in a press communique issued here, the Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that over the first six months of this financial year, state has recorded a Gross GST revenue growth of Rs 2,553 crore as compared to the corresponding period last year. He said that state’s year-on-year GST growth rate has risen dramatically from just 5 percent in first half of FY 2024–25 to an impressive 22.35 percent in FY 2025–26. He said that this figure far exceeds the national GST growth rate of around 6 percent, unequivocally underscoring the success of Punjab’s revenue mobilisation efforts. “In addition to GST, Punjab has also shown encouraging results in other indirect tax categories. Collections under VAT and CST increased by 10 percent, while the Punjab State Development Tax (PSDT) registered a growth of 11 percent during September 2025 compared to the same month last year”, said Cheema.
Mentioning the impact of recent GST rationalization, the Finance Minister said that Punjab’s performance has proven to be much stronger than the national average. “While most other states recorded negative growth trends in September 2025, Punjab continued to show resilience and reported double-digit growth. In September 2025 alone, the State collected Es 2,140.82 crore, up from Rs 1,943 crore in September 2024, marking an increase of Rs 197.82 crore and a growth rate of 10 percent, a sharp improvement compared to the modest 5 percent growth seen in the same period last year”, he added.
Attributing the success to the Punjab Government's unwavering commitment to curb tax evasion and strengthen the State’s financial position, the Excise and Taxation Minister said that the Taxation Department significantly intensified its enforcement actions against tax evasion from April to September 2025. During this period, Rs 246 crore of ineligible Input Tax Credit (ITC) was blocked across 1,162 taxpayers. Furthermore, four major FIRs were lodged against fraudulent networks, including scams of Rs 500 crore in Ludhiana and Rs 550 crore in Fatehgarh. “Penalty collections from road checking and inspections by the State Intelligence and Preventive Units (SIPUs) surged sharply, rising from Rs 106.36 crore in April–September 2024 to Rs 355.72 crore in April–September 2025”, said the Minister while adding, “This increase of Rs 249.36 crore reflects a remarkable 134 percent growth in enforcement-driven collections.”
Appreciating the dedicated efforts of the Taxation Department, whose rigorous enforcement drives and reform measures have been instrumental in achieving this outstanding performance, positioning Punjab as one of the leading states in GST growth, the Finance Minister highlighted that this achievement is particularly noteworthy given the challenging economic environment. “Punjab successfully navigated a war-like situation in May 2025 that disrupted business and trade, faced additional hurdles from the tariff impact on exports, and contended with weak consumer demand that slowed down retail transactions during mid-August and September”, said Cheema while adding that the state not only sustained revenue growth but also achieved record-breaking results despite these adverse factors.
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NOW, CRM MACHINES JUST A CLICK AWAY IN PUNJAB; OVER 85K MACHINES MAPPED ON “UNNAT KISAN” APP
•Farmers can easily book CRM machines via mobile phones from comfort of their homes, says Gurmeet Singh Khudian
• Over 5K Village Level Facilitators & Cluster Officers to provide on-ground assistance to farmers & monitor activities: Agriculture Minister
Chandigarh, October 2:–Punjab Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian today informed that the Punjab Government has mapped over 85000 in-situ and ex-situ Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines on the "Unnat Kisan" Mobile App, a one-stop platform designed to make these machines more easily accessible to small and marginal farmers for promoting sustainable agriculture practices and reducing air pollution.
Divulging the details about a flagship digital initiative, S. Khudian said that this initiative enables farmers to easily book CRM machines through their mobile phones from comfort of their homes. He said each machine is geo-tagged according to the cultivated land area, facilitating monitoring and documentation of residue management activities.
The Agriculture Minister further highlighted the App's robust ecosystem, supported by over 5,000 Village Level Facilitators (VLFs) and Cluster Officers (COs) who provide on-ground assistance to farmers and monitor activities. The platform promotes inclusivity by allowing private owners of CRM machines to register their equipment, expanding the available inventory. support. For enhanced community support, the VLFs can also book machines on behalf of farmers, ensuring that no farmer is left behind.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian emphasised the App’s sophisticated backend, featuring a real-time dashboard that enables precise monitoring of machine utilisation and field officers activities. This ensures accountability, swift issue resolution and optimal resource deployment, ultimately benefiting the farming community during critical harvesting periods. The dashboard's effectiveness in tracking and managing resources enhances the overall efficiency of crop residue management initiatives.
S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian urged farmers to utilise the "Unnat Kisan" App, attributing to its farmer-centric design. The app has transformed the process of availing Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery, making it efficient, transparent and inclusive. By enabling easy booking from nearby Custom Hiring Centres and private machine owners, the App provides a practical alternative to stubble burning, supporting Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government’s environmental and agricultural sustainability goals, he added.
Dr. Basant Garg, Administrative Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, has indeed praised the "Unnat Kisan" App for its role in advancing agriculture in Punjab. The App has been providing farmers with easy access to CRM machinery and promoting sustainable agriculture practices in the state and expressed commitment to further building on its digital foundation to drive future progress in the sector.
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Development works being carried out by the Public Works Department under various schemes: Harbhajan Singh E.T.O.
Construction of several roads and bridges completed at a cost of Rs 877.05 crore
Chandigarh, October 2: The Public Works Department of Punjab is playing a vital role in strengthening the state’s road network and accelerating the pace of development.
Providing details about ongoing development works under various schemes, Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. stated that under the NABARD scheme, the construction of 279.64 km of roads and 8 bridges was completed during the financial year 2024-25, with an expenditure of Rs. 104.28 crore.
For the financial year 2025-26, a budget of Rs. 192 crore has been allocated for the construction of 125 km of roads. So far, 14.50 km of roads have been completed at a cost of Rs. 18.13 crore.
He further informed that during 2024-25, the construction of 781 km of roads was completed under item 5054 RB-10, with a total expenditure of Rs. 503.02 crore. For 2025-26, a target of 840 km of roads has been set at a cost of Rs. 663 crore, out of which 342 km have already been constructed with an expenditure of Rs. 212 crore.
The Minister added that the construction of 10 bridges was completed in 2024-25 under item number 5054, with a total expenditure of Rs. 48.29 crore. For 2025-26, there is a plan to construct 31 bridges with an estimated expenditure of Rs. 155 crore. At present, work on all 31 bridges is in progress, with Rs. 16.39 crore already spent.
Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. also highlighted that under the CRIF scheme, 147.68 km of roads were upgraded in 2024-25 at a cost of Rs. 141.80 crore. For 2025-26, a budget of Rs. 190 crore has been set aside for the construction of 95 km of roads and 3 bridges. Currently, work on 10 km of roads and 2 bridges is in progress, with Rs. 23.05 crore spent so far.
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47 CADETS OF MAHARAJA RANJIT SINGH PREPARATORY INSTITUTE CLEAR NDA WRITTEN EXAM
Aman Arora congratulates cadets and wishes them all the best for future
Chandigarh, October 2:Bringing laurels to the state, as many as 47 cadets from the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Armed Forces Preparatory Institute (MRSAFPI) in SAS Nagar (Mohali) have achieved a remarkable feat by clearing the National Defence Academy (NDA) (II) Written Examination for the NDA-156 Course. The UPSC declared the results on Wednesday late evening. The course is set to begin in June 2026.
Punjab Employment Generation, Skill Development and Training Minister Mr. Aman Arora said that out of the 57 cadets from the Institute who appeared for the NDA (II) written Examination, a stellar 47 cadets successfully cleared the exam, achieving a stupendous success rate of 82.45 percent. This is the highest success rate ever attained by the Institute for either the NDA(I) or NDA(II) examinations.
Congratulating the cadets, Mr. Aman Arora said, "These cadets are the pride of Punjab. I wish them all the best for their forthcoming SSB Interview and training ahead."
Expressing contentment over the results, MRSAFPI Director Major General Ajay H Chauhan, VSM said that the cadets would now be proceeding for their Services Selection Board (SSB) Interview shortly. He complimented the staff and teachers of the Institute for their dedicated efforts. He also mentioned that seven cadets of the Institute out of nine have cleared the AFCAT examination, the results of which were de-classified recently. He further informed that 179 alumni of the MRSAFPI have been commissioned as officers in the Defence Services since the inception of the Institute.
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On the occasion of Dussehra, Aman Arora presents a major gift to the residents of Sunam
Cabinet Minister lays the foundation stone of a ₹15.22 crore Water Supply Project on Seetasar Road, Sunam; work commenced
Project to include a tube-well and storage tank; 33,635 meters of pipeline to be laid; 1,472 new household connections to be provided
Project to be completed within one year
Development works worth around ₹150 crore underway in Sunam city; several projects already completed, others progressing at a rapid pace
Sunam/Chandigarh, October 2:On the auspicious occasion of Dussehra, symbolizing the victory of good over evil, Cabinet Minister and Punjab President of the Aam Aadmi Party, Shri Aman Arora, extended festival greetings and presented a significant gift to the people of martyr Udham Singh’s hometown, Sunam Udham Singh Wala, in the form of a new water supply project.
To provide a permanent solution to the city’s drinking water problem, the Minister laid the foundation stone for a water supply project worth approximately ₹15.22 crore at Seetasar Road, Sunam. The project includes the construction of a tube-well, a 2 lakh liter storage tank, a 33,635-meter-long pipeline, and the provision of 1,472 new household connections for families without access to piped water. The project will be completed within one year.
Under this project, water connections will be provided in various areas: 250 at Tibi Basti, 50 at Namol Road, 100 at Guja Pir, 100 at Sai Colony, 100 at Mansa Road, 150 at Jagatpura Road, 200 at Preet Nagar (Kaccha Paha), 150 at Patiala Road, 50 at Bigarwal Road, 50 behind ITI, 22 at Chattha Road, 50 at Bhag Singh Wala Road, and 50 at Neelowal Road. Additionally, around 100 connections will be given in smaller localities, including Trali Union Road, Peeran Wala Gate, near the Telephone Exchange, near the Municipal Council Office, and other scattered parts of the city.
Addressing the gathering during the foundation stone-laying ceremony, Shri Arora said that the Punjab Government is committed to resolving people’s problems and is leaving no stone unturned in this effort. This project, he noted, is part of that commitment and will be executed within the stipulated timeframe, with no compromise on quality standards.
He added that relentless efforts are underway to transform Sunam into a model city, with development works worth about ₹150 crore. Several projects have already been completed, and the remaining ones are progressing rapidly.
“When intentions are honest, no obstacle can block progress, and all tasks are accomplished successfully,” Shri Arora remarked. He further said that the Punjab Government, working with sincerity and dedication, is making every effort for the state’s development. He asserted that the current government has achieved more during its tenure than all previous governments combined.
Highlighting that the demand for this water supply project had been pending for a long time, Shri Arora said that today, the longstanding wish of the people of Sunam is being fulfilled. He added that the scale of development taking place in the Sunam constituency has become a model for the entire state.
The Minister urged residents to personally monitor construction works and promptly bring any irregularities to his notice. He assured them that all development projects would be completed on time and dedicated to the public. He reiterated that the Punjab Government has already delivered exemplary work in its current tenure and is determined to further accelerate development.
On this occasion, the Minister also listened to public grievances, resolving several issues on the spot, while directing officials to address the remaining ones promptly.
In response to a media query regarding the prevention and treatment of vector-borne diseases in Sunam, Shri Aman Arora said that, alongside door-to-door surveys being carried out by Health Department teams, medical camps are also being organized across the city at a rapid pace. These measures, he said, are yielding positive results.
Those present on the occasion included SDM Shri Pramod Singla, SE Water Supply & Sewerage Board Shri G.P. Singh, DSP Shri Harvinder Singh Khaira, along with other officials, dignitaries, and a large number of city residents.
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Harjot Bains lays foundation stone of ₹35.48-CR high-level bridge over Swan Nadi
*•Foundation stones of two bridges worth ₹33 crore at Kalitran & Bela Dhiani to be laid soon: Harjot Bains*
*• Ultra-modern footbridge to be constructed at Sarsa Nangal at a cost of ₹6 crore*
*•All connecting roads to the bridges will be 18 feet wide; work on Ajoli suspension bridge and National Highway to begin soon*
Chandigarh/ Nangal, October 2:Punjab Education Minister S. Harjot Singh Bains todays laid a foundation stone for a Rs 35.48-crore high-level bridge over the Swan river near Bhallari village in Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency. The 511-metre long bridge will connect Bhallari to Mahindpur-Khera Kalmot, enhancing connectivity for border areas like Khera Kalmot, Bhangla and Majari.
While addressing the gathering, S. Harjot Singh Bains announced the upcoming foundation stone laying for two more bridges. A foundation stone for 333-metre-long bridge from Kalitran to Palasi, costing Rs 20 crore, will be laid on October 4, and a foundation stone for 180-metre-long bridge from Bela Dhiani to Palasi, costing Rs 12 crore, will be laid on October 7 on the occasion of Maharishi Valmiki Jayanti. These new bridges will significantly improve connectivity, allowing residents of interior areas to reach main routes within 15 minutes.
S. Harjot Singh Bains highlighted that along with the bridges, roads spanning up to 11 km around these bridges are also being widened to 18 feet at a significant cost. Additionally, a Rs 80 crore lift irrigation scheme is underway in the Changar area to ensure water availability, further boosting the region's infrastructure.
He further informed that 25 new sports grounds will be constructed to promote sports and fitness in the region. This development initiative reflects the Punjab government's commitment to enhancing infrastructure and promoting tourism and sports in the state.
The Education Minister said that Nangal has been granted block status, and a new police station is being established at Naya Nangal. Upcoming projects include drinking water schemes for 20 villages and a major drinking water project for Nangal city, beautification of Kiratpur Sahib, and canal water schemes. The Nangal flyover issue has been resolved, paving the way for work to begin on the Kiratpur Sahib-Nangal National Highway. Additionally, sports facilities for 8-10 games are being developed at Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Multi-Speciality Park to benefit children from 20-25 villages.
S. Harjot Singh Bains said an international-level ultra-modern footbridge costing ₹6 crore is being built in Sarsa Nangal village to facilitate daily commuting. Additionally, a service lane is being constructed on the National Highway at Bharatgarh to prevent accidents, and a suspension bridge is being built at Ajoli to ease movement of light vehicles. S. Bains expressed confidence that these projects will propel the area to become number one in Punjab within a year, and a comprehensive plan to promote tourism is also underway.
He stated that within the next one year, every promise of development made to the constituency will be fulfilled before he appears in the people’s court. He said, “people sent their brother and son to the Vidhan Sabha with pride, and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann entrusted me with important responsibilities,”. Bains emphasised that a new wave of development has now begun in the constituency of Sri Anandpur Sahib, with the blessings of Dashmesh Pita Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, and overall development of the region will be ensured.
Lauding the youth of the region, S. Bains said that during floods they carried out “Operation Rahat” and performed exemplary work, safeguarding canals, riverbanks, and religious structures. He added that in the field of education, a model school has been established in Bhanam, which will pave the way for children from backward areas to become officers in the future. The face of the region is changing, and this development journey is giving wings to people’s aspirations.
S.Bains said that the people of Sri Anandpur Sahib always elected those who occupied top positions in the state and the country, but unfortunately they always ran away from their responsibilities. Education Minister Said “They never cared for this region. The situation was so dire that villagers living on the Himachal border even demanded merger with Himachal. The villages around the Gobind Sagar Lake of Bhakra Dam still yearn for drinking water; 400 acres of cultivable land has become barren due to lack of irrigation. Our rivers supply water across the country, yet our own land remains thirsty. These areas are connected with bridges built by great religious personalities, but previous governments only ruled without caring for people of this region, filling their own coffers instead of the state treasury,”. Hundreds of people attended the foundation stone laying of the High Level Bridge at village Bhallari. S. Harjot Bains was also honoured by Several Panchayat members for this important project