Chandigarh: Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Cheema announced on Thursday that the state government is balancing trade facilitation with strict tax compliance, as the Punjab Taxation Department has attached 136 properties valued at ₹91.10 crore to recover pending pre-GST arrears.
Minister Harpal Cheema emphasized that the government has extended a One-Time Settlement Policy (OTS) to help traders clear their legacy dues amicably. “The Punjab Government is committed to providing a harassment-free business environment, which is why this policy offers traders a golden opportunity to settle their pre-GST liabilities,” he stated.
ਵਪਾਰੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਆ ਅਤੇ ਵਪਾਰ ਕਰਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਆਸਾਨੀ ਪ੍ਰਤੀ ਮਾਨ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੀ ਇਤਿਹਾਸਕ ਵਚਨਬੱਧਤਾ!
ਵਿੱਤ ਮੰਤਰੀ ਹਰਪਾਲ ਸਿੰਘ ਚੀਮਾ ਨੇ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਵਿਖੇ ਇੱਕ ਬੈਠਕ ਦੀ ਅਗਵਾਈ ਕਰਦਿਆਂ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਟੇਟ ਟਰੇਡਰਜ਼ ਕਮਿਸ਼ਨ (ਪੀ.ਐੱਸ.ਟੀ.ਸੀ.), ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ ਅਤੇ ਹਲਕਾ ਪੱਧਰੀ ਵਪਾਰਕ ਕਮੇਟੀਆਂ ਅਤੇ ਪੁਲਿਸ ਪ੍ਰਸ਼ਾਸਨ ਵਿਚਕਾਰ ਢਾਂਚਾਗਤ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਕੰਮਲ… pic.twitter.com/tvcMHRWKR4
— AAP Punjab (@AAPPunjab) February 20, 2026
At the same time, Harpal Cheema warned that willful tax evasion will not be tolerated. “The attachment of 136 properties worth over ₹91 crore sends a strong message that the Taxation Department is pursuing major defaulters relentlessly. Traders are urged to avail the benefits of the One-Time Policy immediately to avoid their properties being auctioned,” he added.
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According to official data as of February 18, 2026:
- 136 properties valued at ₹91.10 crore have been attached across Punjab.
- 78 properties worth ₹50.58 crore are in primary districts.
- 58 properties worth ₹40.52 crore are in other districts, states, or union territories.
- Some properties have already been auctioned, recovering ₹15.27 crore.
Further details reveal:
- Permission to sell 35 properties worth ₹33.77 crore has been granted by the Head Office.
- Final auction dates have been fixed for 21 properties valued at ₹13.68 crore.
- District authorities have auctioned 15 properties worth ₹16.42 crore, with formal permission in process.
- 24 properties amounting to ₹10.61 crore are pending recovery certificates with Deputy Commissioners.
Harpal Cheema highlighted that enforcement actions are prompting many licensees and sureties to deposit pending arrears to stop the auction of their assets. He concluded, “The Taxation Department is monitoring the recovery process closely. Properties with fixed auction dates will be sold as scheduled if taxpayers fail to use the One-Time Settlement option.”