Punjab State Taxation Department Arrests Mastermind in ₹55.35 Crore Fake Billing Racket: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Fraudulent Input Tax Credit of ₹8.35 Crore Passed Off to Exporters: Harpal Singh Cheema* *Further Investigations Underway to Expose the Complete Network of Beneficiaries: Harpal Singh Cheema* *Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Against Tax Evasion*
*Further Investigations Underway to Expose the Complete Network of Beneficiaries: Harpal Singh Cheema*
*Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema Reaffirms Zero-Tolerance Against Tax Evasion*
Chandigarh, 9th July 2026-The Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced that the Punjab State Taxation Department has apprehended the proprietor of a Jalandhar-based firm for orchestrating a ₹55.35 crore fake billing racket. He said, "This significant enforcement action successfully halted the fraudulent passage of Input Tax Credit (ITC) worth approximately ₹8.35 crore, which was causing substantial losses to the state exchequer through wrongful Integrated GST (IGST) refund claims". Giving the details of the intelligence-based operation in a press communique issued here, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, "The State GST Department has arrested Bhupinder Sharma, the proprietor of M/s Ramsons Corporation bearing GSTIN 03BFDPB3574F1ZZ in Jalandhar, under Section 69 of the Punjab GST Act, 2017. Our preliminary investigation revealed that this firm was deeply engaged in a large-scale fake invoicing and fraudulent Input Tax Credit racket by issuing GST invoices without any actual supply of goods." Shedding light on the financial scale of the fraud, Cheema said, "The firm carried out bogus billing of approximately ₹55.35 crore, which directly resulted in the wrongful availment and passing of fake ITC amounting to nearly ₹8.35 crore. This fraudulently passed ITC was ultimately utilised by certain manufacturing firms for claiming refunds of Integrated GST paid on exports, thereby causing a substantial and direct loss to the Government exchequer." Detailing the swift enforcement action, the Finance Minister said, "Based on the concrete evidence gathered during the investigation, a dedicated team of the State Tax Department in Jalandhar arrested the accused on July 9, 2026. Let it be known that the offences involved in this racket are cognizable and non-bailable under the strict provisions of the Punjab GST Act, 2017." Elaborating on the future course of the probe, Cheema said, "The investigation is continuing aggressively to identify the complete network of beneficiaries, trace the exact flow of this fraudulent ITC, and ascertain the total amount of tax evasion. Appropriate legal action shall be taken against all persons found involved in this racket." Reiterating the Punjab Government’s uncompromising stance on tax fraud, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal said, "The state Government is firmly committed to ensuring transparency and protecting government revenue. Strict action will continue against every individual or entity involved in fake invoicing, bogus Input Tax Credit, and tax fraud. Such illegal activities not only cause revenue loss but also create an unfair business environment for honest taxpayers."vThe Finance Minister emphasised the department's modernized approach to enforcement, adding, "The State Tax Department has been strictly directed to intensify enforcement and take the strongest possible legal action against tax evaders. We remain steadfastly committed to safeguarding public revenue through intelligence-based enforcement, advanced data analytics, and coordinated investigations against all tax evasion and fraudulent ITC networks."
Chandigarh, 9th July 2026-The Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday announced that the Punjab State Taxation Department has apprehended the proprietor of a Jalandhar-based firm for orchestrating a ₹55.35 crore fake billing racket. He said, "This significant enforcement action successfully halted the fraudulent passage of Input Tax Credit (ITC) worth approximately ₹8.35 crore, which was causing substantial losses to the state exchequer through wrongful Integrated GST (IGST) refund claims".
Giving the details of the intelligence-based operation in a press communique issued here, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, "The State GST Department has arrested Bhupinder Sharma, the proprietor of M/s Ramsons Corporation bearing GSTIN 03BFDPB3574F1ZZ in Jalandhar, under Section 69 of the Punjab GST Act, 2017. Our preliminary investigation revealed that this firm was deeply engaged in a large-scale fake invoicing and fraudulent Input Tax Credit racket by issuing GST invoices without any actual supply of goods."
Shedding light on the financial scale of the fraud, Cheema said, "The firm carried out bogus billing of approximately ₹55.35 crore, which directly resulted in the wrongful availment and passing of fake ITC amounting to nearly ₹8.35 crore. This fraudulently passed ITC was ultimately utilised by certain manufacturing firms for claiming refunds of Integrated GST paid on exports, thereby causing a substantial and direct loss to the Government exchequer."
Detailing the swift enforcement action, the Finance Minister said, "Based on the concrete evidence gathered during the investigation, a dedicated team of the State Tax Department in Jalandhar arrested the accused on July 9, 2026. Let it be known that the offences involved in this racket are cognizable and non-bailable under the strict provisions of the Punjab GST Act, 2017."
Elaborating on the future course of the probe, Cheema said, "The investigation is continuing aggressively to identify the complete network of beneficiaries, trace the exact flow of this fraudulent ITC, and ascertain the total amount of tax evasion. Appropriate legal action shall be taken against all persons found involved in this racket."
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s uncompromising stance on tax fraud, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal said, "The state Government is firmly committed to ensuring transparency and protecting government revenue. Strict action will continue against every individual or entity involved in fake invoicing, bogus Input Tax Credit, and tax fraud. Such illegal activities not only cause revenue loss but also create an unfair business environment for honest taxpayers."vThe Finance Minister emphasised the department's modernized approach to enforcement, adding, "The State Tax Department has been strictly directed to intensify enforcement and take the strongest possible legal action against tax evaders. We remain steadfastly committed to safeguarding public revenue through intelligence-based enforcement, advanced data analytics, and coordinated investigations against all tax evasion and fraudulent ITC networks."
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*Bhagwant Mann Govt Completes Construction of 892 Modern Anganwadi Centres to Boost Early Childhood Care & Education: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Remaining 132 Anganwadi Centres in Final Stage of Construction, Will Soon Be Dedicated to Children: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Every Child Deserves Same Quality Early Learning Environment as Best Private Schools: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*Modern Anganwadi Centres Will Promote Early Learning, Better Nutrition & Holistic Development of Children: Dr. Baljit Kaur*
*₹10 lakh released per centre under Mission Saksham; 132 more centres in the final phase*
CHANDIGARH; 9th July 2026:Reaffirming its commitment to providing world-class early childhood care and education, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has completed the construction of 892 modern Anganwadi Centres across the state. Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said the state is rapidly expanding child-friendly infrastructure, with the remaining 132 Anganwadi Centres in the final stage of construction, ensuring that children across Punjab have access to safe, modern and enriching early learning environments comparable to the best private schools.
Sharing this information, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated, “The Punjab Government had set a target of constructing 1,024 new Anganwadi Centres across the state. Construction of 892 centres has already been completed, while the remaining 132 centres are in the final stage of construction and will soon be completed and dedicated to the children of Punjab.”
ThePunjab Women and Child DevelopmentMinister stated, “Our government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to ensuring that every child, irrespective of economic background, receives the same quality early learning environment and play-based learning opportunities that are available in the best private schools. No shortage of funds will be allowed to hamper initiatives aimed at securing a brighter future for Punjab’s children.”
“Children are the nation’s greatest asset. Every child deserves a safe, joyful and stimulating environment where they can learn, play and realise their full potential. Our government is committed to creating equal opportunities for every child, regardless of his or her socio-economic background,” said the Minister.
Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur noted, “These new Anganwadi Centres are far more than brick-and-mortar structures. They are homes where the dreams of children from rural and underprivileged families will flourish. The smile on a child’s face while learning and playing in a clean, safe and caring environment is the greatest reward for any government.”
“These centres will also play a crucial role in combating malnutrition, promoting children’s health and supporting their physical and cognitive development,” she added.
Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur shared, “All the new Anganwadi Centres are being developed as per prescribed quality standards with a special focus on creating safe, child-friendly and inclusive infrastructure. Under Mission Saksham, ₹10 lakh has been released for each Anganwadi Centre to provide essential facilities such as adequate seating arrangements, safe drinking water, modern sanitation facilities and enriching learning spaces that support the holistic development of children.”
“The Punjab Government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a strong foundation for the future by investing in quality early childhood care and education. These modern Anganwadi Centres will ensure that every child receives a nurturing environment and an equal opportunity to grow into a healthy, confident and capable citizen,” Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur affirmed.
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*Over 2.42 Lakh Patients Receive 4.79 Lakh Cashless Treatments Worth ₹852 Crore Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana in 6 Months*
*More Than 47 Lakh Sehat Cards Registered as Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Expands Universal Health Coverage Across Punjab*
*Bhagwant Mann Govt's Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Ensures Free Treatment for Costly Heart, Orthopaedic & Specialised Surgeries Along With Routine Healthcare*
*Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Protecting Families From Expensive Medical Care, Making Quality Healthcare Accessible to Every Household: Dr. Balbir Singh*
*Free Treatment Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Freed Me From 10 Years of Knee Pain: Baljinder Kaur, Beneficiary*
*Cashless Treatment Under Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana Lifted Financial Burden From My Family: Mamu Ram, Beneficiary*
CHANDIGARH, July 9:The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government's flagship Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana that was inaugurated on January 8 this year has emerged as a game-changing healthcare initiative, enabling 2,42,917 patients to receive 4,79,602 cashless treatments worth around ₹852 crore over the last six months, protecting families from the burden of expensive medical care.
With over 47 lakh Sehat Cards registered so far, the scheme is rapidly advancing the state's vision of universal health coverage by providing annual cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh to every eligible household.
Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh said the scheme has successfully addressed both routine healthcare needs and expensive specialised treatments, ensuring that quality healthcare is accessible to every citizen without financial hardship. “The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is a social security guarantee that protects families from catastrophic medical expenditure. The overwhelming public response, reflected in over 47 lakh registrations and cashless treatment worth ₹852 crore, demonstrates the confidence people have placed in the vision of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann to make quality healthcare accessible to every household," said the Health Minister.
Sharing insights into the utilisation pattern under the scheme, the Health Minister said, "Chronic haemodialysis has emerged as the most availed treatment with over 1.58 lakh dialysis sessions, highlighting the critical support being extended to patients suffering from kidney failure who require dialysis multiple times every week," he added.
He said treatment for laparoscopic gallbladder removal accounted for around 12,400 procedures. Other commonly availed treatments included primary total knee replacement, Caesarean deliveries, normal deliveries, hysterectomy, hip replacement, and general laparotomy, each recording nearly 8,700 to 8,900 cases.
Dr. Balbir Singh said while dialysis serves the highest number of beneficiaries, complex surgeries account for the largest share of healthcare expenditure under the scheme. Primary total knee replacement topped the expenditure chart with approximately ₹70.86 crore, followed closely by PTCA with diagnostic angiogram for cardiac stent procedures at around ₹70.02 crore. Laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries accounted for nearly ₹36.28 crore, while hip replacement, spinal surgeries, coronary artery bypass grafting, cataract surgeries, bilateral hernia repair, and hysterectomy also figured among the highest-value procedures covered under the scheme.
"The treatment pattern clearly demonstrates that the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is providing comprehensive healthcare support. While thousands of beneficiaries are receiving routine treatments such as dialysis, maternal healthcare, and emergency care every day, patients requiring costly heart, orthopaedic, and specialised surgeries are also receiving quality treatment completely free of cost," he said.
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