Patriotic fervour, gaiety mark R-Day
Jalandhar, January 27
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday said the economy of Punjab was moving in the right direction and continuous reforms were being introduced to ensure further growth of every sector.
In his address after unfurling the national flag at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium here during the 75th Republic Day celebrations, Cheema said every step was being taken to restore the fiscal health of the state and it had recorded a 16.52% increase in GST and a 10.4% rise in excise revenues. He said till December 2023 (current fiscal year), Punjab had already collected Rs 27,931.16 crore as tax revenue, whereas the figure was Rs 24,468.14 crore till December 2022 (last fiscal year).
He said Punjab had achieved a growth rate of 14.15 per cent in total revenue from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT and excise up to December in the current fiscal year as compared to the last year.
He said the government established the Tax Intelligence Unit, besides bringing One Time Settlement Scheme 2023, Bill Leyao Inaam Payo Scheme, Punjab GST Amendment Act 2023, reward scheme for informers, and many more measures. He said due to the government policies, the state had received 4,125 investment proposals worth Rs 64,114 crore, which would ensure direct and indirect employment opportunities to 3.01 lakh people.
The minister said to promote tourism and culture, it had released Punjab Adventure Tourism Policy 2023 and Punjab Water Tourism Policy 2023. Cheema said 550 arrests had been made in the Punjab’s corruption-free drive.
The minister said grants worth Rs 205.14 crore had been given to Jalandhar district for development works in the rural areas. Of this, funds to the tune of Rs 144.64 crore had already been spent. A total of 104 development works worth Rs 68 crore were also underway in the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar. Under the Punjab State Rural Livelihood Mission, 1,500 self-help groups had been established in Jalandhar and offered skill training to the women. Earlier, the chief guest took salute of the march past by contingents of the Indo-Tibet Border Police, PRTC Jahan Khelan Commissionerate Police (Men and Women), Punjab Home Guards, NCC (Boys and Girls), Bharat Scouts and Guides led by parade Commander (PPS) Damanbir Singh. The minister also distributed sewing machines and tricycles among the needy and honoured the family members of five martyrs and freedom fighters. He also felicitated 113 officials/ employees, players and social workers for their achievements in their fields.
Sewing machines, tricycles distributed
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema distributed sewing machines and tricycles among the needy and honoured the family members of five martyrs and freedom fighters.
