Tax Department slaps Fine of Rs.15.4 Crore on Tax Evaders in August

The mobile wings of the Punjab taxation department’s state intelligence and preventive units (SIPU) imposed a fine of Rs.15.37 crore on 873 vehicles in August for transporting goods without e-way bills and other required documents, Punjab finance, planning, excise and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Sunday, adding that of the total fine imposed, Rs.14.90 crore has been collected and the outstanding fine will be recovered soon.

According to the ministry, SIPU initiated action against 1,052 automobiles in August, after registering 70 incidents in July. He further stated that a Rs.4.38 crore fee was imposed on the 249 outstanding July cases. SIPU Shambhu took action against the most cars, 184, followed by SIPU Ludhiana with 172, SIPU Patiala with 158, and SIPU Ropar with 134. SIPU Shambhu levied a maximum sentence of Rs.3.21 crore and collected Rs.3.18 crore during this campaign against tax evaders.

SIPU Patiala, on the other hand, has recovered Rs.2.67 crore of the total fine of Rs.2.80 crore.

The finance minister urged the SIPU teams to enhance their performance, noting that the state government is equipping the department with all types of contemporary technology and instruments to help honest taxpayers and tighten the noose around tax evaders.

He called to the public to be a part of this initiative to enhance the state’s financial health, noting that over 22,000 people had downloaded the newly released ‘Mera Bill App’.