Punjab cabinet gives nod to OTS scheme to recover pre-GST arrears
The Punjab Cabinet on Wednesday approved a One-Time Settlement (OTS) scheme, aimed at resolving tax arrears amounting to Rs 11,968 crore pending under different laws before the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax in the state.
The cabinet also gave prosecution sanction against former Punjab minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot in a corruption case registered by vigilance bureau in 2022.
The cabinet, in a meeting here headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, also gave approval to set up a special court in Mohali to deal with cases of the National Investigation Agency.
One post of district and sessions judge or additional district and session judge-level for constitution of Executive Special Court at Mohali will be created for investigation of cases under Section 22 of the NIA Act at SAS Nagar, Mohali in Punjab.Apart from the NIA, this court will also be mandated to hear cases from Enforcement Directorate, CBI, and other special cases, said an official statement.
Addressing the media later, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said a OTS scheme will be launched for recovery of pre-GST arrears.
These are arrears pending under the Punjab Value Added Tax Act 2005, the Central Sales Tax Act 1956, Punjab Infrastructure Development and Regulation Act 2002, Punjab General Sales Tax Act 1948, Punjab Entertainment Tax (Cinematograph Show) Act 1954, and Punjab Entertainment Duty Act 1955, he explained.
