CHANDIGARH, Apr 17: Punjab Finance, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday flagged off 25 new Bolero vehicles to enhance the operational strength of the Excise and Taxation Department, stating that the initiative will significantly improve field-level enforcement, curb tax evasion, and further strengthen the state’s revenue system.
Addressing the media, Cheema described the move as a key step in bolstering administrative efficiency. “Today marks a vital step forward for our state administration as we officially flag off 25 new Bolero vehicles to significantly enhance the operational mobility and enforcement capabilities of the Excise and Taxation Department,” he said.
Highlighting the need for expanded ground operations, the minister said the vehicles have been procured at an approximate cost of Rs2.21 crore to ensure wider geographical coverage and improved efficiency. He added that the fleet would be deployed across districts, enforcement wings, and mobile units to strengthen on-ground presence.
Emphasising the department’s role in maintaining fiscal discipline, Cheema noted that the Excise and Taxation Department continues to play a critical part in ensuring compliance with tax laws across Punjab. He said the department recorded strong growth in tax collections during the financial year 2025-26 compared to the previous fiscal.
Providing details of the revenue performance, Cheema stated that gross GST collections rose by 11.87 per cent to Rs27,744.05 crore from Rs24,799.18 crore, while net GST collections registered a 12.52 per cent increase to Rs26,601.12 crore from Rs23,642.08 crore. Excise revenue also witnessed a growth of 9.15 per cent, reaching Rs11,736.57 crore as against Rs10,752.80 crore in 2024-25.
The minister also highlighted significant improvements in enforcement outcomes, particularly by the State Intelligence and Preventive Units (SIPUs). He said penalties imposed through inspections and road checks increased sharply from Rs321.04 crore in FY 2024-25 to Rs1,384.09 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting more than a four-fold rise, along with a nearly six-fold increase in recoveries.
Describing the new fleet as a strategic addition, Cheema said it would enable faster inspections, strengthen monitoring of inter-state goods movement, and improve the department’s ability to act against tax evasion. He added that the initiative would contribute substantially to higher revenue generation for the state.
Concluding, the minister said the enhanced mobility and real-time monitoring capabilities would ensure more effective enforcement and improved tax compliance, paving the way for sustained growth and a more robust taxation framework in the coming years.
(UNI)
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