*Punjab Registers 12.52% Surge in Net GST Collection in FY 2025-26: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Net GST Collection Rises to Rs 26,601 Crore, Punjab Outperforms National Average: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*16.6% growth in March 2026, with net collection reaching Rs 2,231.93 crore: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Punjab witnesses Strong initial gains, GST 2.0 policy-induced dip, and decisive recovery in last quarter of FY 2025-26: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Finance Minister attributes growth to relentless enforcement and improved compliance*

*Thriving economy, improved compliance, and enforcement efforts to further improve growth in FY 2026-27: Harpal Singh Cheema*

Chandigarh, 2nd April, 2026-Showcasing robust financial management and sustained economic recovery, Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced a significant 12.52% increase in the net Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection up to the month of March for the financial year 2025-26. He said the state also recorded a substantial year-on-year increase in March 2026, with Net GST Collection rising from Rs.1,913.82 crore in March 2025 to Rs.2,231.93 crore, registering an absolute gain of Rs. 318.11 crore and a growth of 16.6% and SGST cash collections in March registered a robust growth of 18%, placing Punjab among the top-performing large states in the country, as against the national growth rate of approximately 7%.

Disclosing these figures in a press communiqué issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that Punjab has registered consistent and broad-based revenue augmentation for the full financial year 2025–26 as the net GST collection up to the month of March reached Rs. 26601.12 crore in 2025-26, compared to Rs. 23642.08 crore in 2024-25, registering a solid increase of Rs. 2959.04 crore. “This sustained fiscal expansion positions Punjab ahead of the national average, where net GST revenue grew by approximately 6 % , thereby establishing the State as a strong performer in GST mobilization”, he added.

The Finance Minister Cheema said that the fiscal year 2025-26 reflects a clear three-phase revenue trajectory marked by strong initial gains, a policy-induced dip, and a decisive recovery. Cheema said, “In the first six months (April to September 2025), Punjab recorded a substantial increase in Net GST Collection of Rs. 2,478.19 crore, reflecting a growth of 23%, demonstrating strong revenue mobilisation driven by effective state-level enforcement and compliance measures”.

Highlighting the Challenges faced due to the GST 2.0 policy, the Finance Minister said that substantial increase during the first half of the year was followed by a dip in the October to December quarter, where Net Collection by Rs. 193.04 crore (-3%), largely due to disruptions arising from centrally driven GST 2.0 policy changes; cumulatively, this phase resulted in an estimated revenue impact of around Rs. 400 crore. “Importantly, the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led State Government’s proactive interventions led to a sharp recovery in the January to March 2026 quarter, with Gross Collection increasing by Rs. 564.97 crore (9%) and Net Collection by Rs. 669.09 crore (11%), more than offsetting the earlier decline and restoring the growth trajectory”, Cheema added.

Finance Minister Cheema further stated,“the consistent growth in GST collections, particularly the strong recovery in the last quarter, reflects the State Government’s unwavering commitment to robust financial management and effective tax administration. Despite transitional challenges at the national level, Punjab has demonstrated resilience and agility. The Government will continue to strengthen compliance frameworks, leverage technology, and support honest taxpayers to further augment revenue mobilisation.”

"In contrast, several large states such as Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh recorded negative growth in both March 2026 and annual figures, indicating broader stress in GST collections", said Cheema.

Expressing confidence that the state's GST collections will get a further boost in financial year 2026-27, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema attributed this optimism to the state government's relentless enforcement efforts, improved compliance, and a thriving economy, which are expected to propel revenue growth to new heights.

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*No Atrocities Against Dalits and Marginalised Will Be Tolerated in Punjab — Jasvir Singh Garhi*

*Commission Takes Suo-Moto Notice of Ambedkar Statue Vandalism, Sarpanch Hostage Incident and Attack on Dalit Families*

*Chairman Orders Immediate Action in Three Major Cases Upon Return from Abroad*

Chandigarh, April 2:Taking serious note of incidents involving atrocities against Dalits and marginalized sections across Punjab, Chairman of the Punjab State Scheduled Castes Commission, Mr. Jasvir Singh Garhi, has issued three consecutive suo-moto notices in separate cases. Immediately upon his return from abroad, the Chairman directed swift action and sought detailed reports from the concerned police authorities.

According to information received by the Commission, an incident was reported from Kathgarh town in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district, where a woman Sarpanch and her husband, Baba Kale Shah, were allegedly held hostage, subjected to caste-based abuse, and physically assaulted. Taking serious cognizance of the matter, the Commission has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, to submit a detailed report by April 7, 2026.

In another case, damage to the statue of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar was reported in village Noorpur Jattan, district Hoshiarpur. The Commission has directed the Senior Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, to appear with a comprehensive report on April 9, 2026.

Similarly, in a third incident reported from village Beipuri in Tarn Taran district, two Dalit families were allegedly assaulted, abused, and their household belongings damaged by the village Sarpanch. Videos related to the incident have also gone viral on social media, raising serious concerns. Taking strict notice, the Commission has sought a detailed report from the Senior Superintendent of Police, Tarn Taran, by April 9, 2026, directing that a DSP-level officer must personally appear before the Commission to present the report.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Jasvir Singh Garhi said that atrocities against poor, marginalized, and Dalit communities will not be tolerated under any circumstances in Punjab. He emphasized that the Commission is committed to taking immediate action in such cases and ensuring strict legal proceedings against those found guilty.

He further warned that if any responsible officers of concerned departments are found negligent in handling cases of caste-based discrimination, action will also be initiated against them under Section 4 of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

The Chairman reiterated that the Commission remains committed to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and security of Scheduled Castes and other marginalized communities across Punjab, and any attempt to undermine these rights will invite strict legal consequences.

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*Speaker Calls 12th Session of 16th Punjab Vidhan Sabha on 13 April*

Chandigarh 2 April 2026:Under second proviso to Rule 16 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, The Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan has called the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, which was adjourned sine-die on 16th March, 2026, to meet at 11:00 A.M on Monday, the 13th April, 2026 in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Hall, Vidhan Bhavan, Chandigarh.

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*Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board Reviews Achievements and Progress of Schemes for FY 2025-26*

*457 Units Established, Employment Generated for Over 5,000 Youth Under PMEGP — Gagandeep Singh Kaku Ahluwalia*

Chandigarh, April 2, 2026:Chairman of the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board, Mr. Gagandeep Singh Kaku Ahluwalia, today reviewed the achievements and progress of various schemes of the Board for the financial year 2025-26 at the Board’s office in Chandigarh.

While sharing details about the progress under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Mr. Ahluwalia said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Khadi and Village Industries sector has achieved significant milestones during the financial year 2025-26.

He stated that the Board’s schemes have not only strengthened the rural economy but also provided self-employment opportunities to unemployed youth across the state.

Providing further details, he informed that during the financial year 2025-26, the Board facilitated the establishment of 457 units under the PMEGP scheme, generating employment opportunities for 5,027 youth. A subsidy amounting to ₹32 crore 77 lakh 85 thousand was also provided to beneficiaries of these units.

Out of these, around 100 units were established with project costs ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, 204 units were set up with project costs between ₹10 lakh to ₹24 lakh, and 153 units were established with investments ranging from ₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore.

The Chairman directed officials to make concerted efforts to achieve the targets set for the financial year 2026-27 and ensure effective implementation of all Board schemes. He emphasized that the outreach of these schemes must be expanded to every district and village so that maximum unemployed youth can benefit from self-employment opportunities.

On the occasion, Member Secretary Mr. Ramandeep Singh, along with Officials and Senior Consultants were present.