Zero-Tolerance Against Tax Evasion; Punjab Excise & Taxation Dept Detains 152 Vehicles in Statewide Crackdown: Harpal Singh Cheema
Hawk-Eyed Vigil on Industrial Arteries to plug revenue leaks at source: Harpal Singh Cheema
Last Week’s Drive- Rs 3.25 Crore penalty recovered for 91 vehicles, remaining cases under scrutiny: Harpal Singh Cheema
Chandigarh, 21st September 2026
Turning up the heat on tax dodgers, the Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has once again cracked the whip, detaining 152 vehicles loaded with goods worth a staggering Rs 4.5 crore.
Revealing this in a press communique issued here, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema said, “This sweeping statewide crackdown kept a hawk’s eye on the bustling industrial arteries of Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna, signaling a strict, zero-tolerance approach to revenue leakage.” He made it clear that the government is not resting on its laurels and this fresh offensive comes hot on the heels of a massive drive just last week that saw 170 commercial vehicles pulled over for dodging GST regulations.
Throwing light on the previous sweep, Finance Minister Cheema said, “The department has already moved swiftly from detection to action. With intense scrutiny wrapped up for 91 of those vehicles, the state exchequer has successfully recouped a hefty Rs 3.25 crore in penalties. The remaining cases are currently under the microscope and fast approaching their logical conclusion in the eyes of the law.”
“The swift recovery of Rs 3.25 crore is proof positive that our enforcement teams mean business and are backing up their operations with concrete action,” Cheema said, adding that the department will leave no stone unturned to ensure goods move strictly by the book.
Giving a rundown of the latest bust, the Finance Minister said, “The newly detained fleet of 152 vehicles is primarily hauling iron scrap and finished steel goods. Tax officers are currently combing through invoices, e-way bills, and transit documents to catch any sleight of hand. Wherever discrepancies or deliberate violations are brought to light, applicable taxes and heavy penalties will be slapped on the offenders without delay.”
“By zeroing in on Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna alongside other high-risk corridors across Punjab, the government aims to plug revenue leaks right at the source. Cheema emphasized that this is far from a one-off dragnet; it is a relentless, sustained crusade”, said Cheema. The ultimate goal, he said, is to foster voluntary compliance, protect the interests of honest taxpayers, and ensure a genuinely level playing field for businesses that play by the rules.
Sounding a stern warning to those still trying to pull the wool over the government’s eyes, the Finance Minister Cheema reiterated that every single rupee rightfully owed to the state is vital for Punjab’s development and public welfare. He drove the point home with a clear message, “Anyone attempting to slip through the cracks will be brought to book and dealt with firmly under the law.”
