Punjab Government Attaches Rs. 91 Crore Properties in Major Tax Recovery Drive
The Punjab Taxation Department has attached 136 properties worth more than Rs. 91 crore to recover old tax dues from before GST was introduced. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said this action is part of a drive against people who still have pending payments.
He explained that the government had already offered a special one-time settlement scheme so traders could clear their old dues easily. But strict action is now being taken against those who are still not paying. He also warned that deliberate tax evasion will not be accepted.
Cheema said attaching these properties sends a strong message that the department is serious about recovering money from big defaulters. He asked traders to use the settlement scheme quickly so they can avoid losing their properties in auctions.
Out of the 136 properties, 78 properties worth Rs. 50.5 crore are in the main districts of Punjab, while 58 properties worth Rs. 40.5 crore are in other districts, states, or union territories. Some properties have already been auctioned, and Rs. 15.2 crore has been recovered so far.
The government has also allowed the sale of 35 properties worth Rs. 33.7 crore. Auction dates have been fixed for 21 properties worth Rs. 13.6 crore. District authorities have started auction processes for another 15 properties worth Rs. 16.4 crore, while formal approval is still being completed.
He further added that to recover money from properties located outside Punjab, recovery certificates for 24 properties worth Rs. 10.61 crore have been issued to the concerned Deputy Commissioners. Because of these strict actions, many traders and guarantors have started paying their dues to stop their properties from being auctioned.
