The Minister reaffirmed that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government is committed to creating a financial ecosystem marked by discipline...

Punjab Govt Steps Up Recovery of Legacy Excise Arrears; Properties Worth Rs 20.31 Cr to be Sold

Chandigarh: In a decisive move to strengthen Punjab’s fiscal health, the state government has launched an aggressive drive to recover long-pending excise arrears left unresolved by previous regimes. Finance, Planning, Excise, and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced that the Excise Commissionerate has already recovered Rs 1.85 crore in the ongoing financial year 2025–26, while 27 properties valued at Rs 20.31 crore (Collector rate) have been cleared for auction.

Minister Cheema stated that the auction process has already begun, with the first set of sales scheduled for early September. On September 4, six properties in Mansa and Bathinda, including agricultural and commercial/residential land, worth Rs 5.4 crore, will go under the hammer. This will be followed by the auction of four agricultural properties in Sri Muktsar Sahib, collectively priced at Rs 4.89 crore, on September 8. Another four properties in Muktsar and Fazilka, worth Rs 1.99 crore, will be sold on September 11.

The Minister further revealed that eight additional properties are slated for auction later in September, ensuring that the recovery momentum remains strong throughout the month. He also highlighted that the department has identified 67 arrears cases where substantial recoveries are expected before the close of the current financial year.

Breaking Free from Past Inaction

Drawing a sharp contrast with the earlier SAD-BJP and Congress governments, Cheema underlined that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s administration has ensured timely recovery of license fees, thereby preventing the buildup of fresh arrears. He described the recovery campaign as an essential step in unlocking stalled revenue and instilling accountability in Punjab’s financial systems.

“Unlike the negligence of previous regimes, this government is determined to enforce fiscal discipline, protect public revenue, and deliver transparent governance,” said Cheema, adding that these auctions will send a strong message that defaulters can no longer evade responsibility.

Ensuring Accountability and Trust

The Minister reaffirmed that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government is committed to creating a financial ecosystem marked by discipline, compliance, and transparency. The excise arrears recovery initiative, he stressed, is not just about monetary gains but also about restoring public trust in governance by ensuring that no dues remain uncollected.

With this sustained campaign, the Punjab Government has positioned itself as a proactive guardian of state finances, committed to correcting past lapses and steering Punjab toward a stronger, self-reliant economic future.

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