Punjab gives away Rs 3.4 crore in prize money under ‘Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme
2
Chandigarh: Launched to encourage responsible consumer behaviour and strengthen tax compliance, the state's flagship 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme witnessed enthusiastic public participation, with a total of 1,76,832 bills uploaded on the 'Mera Bill' app from its launch in Sept 2023 to July 2025, Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said here on Sunday.
"This surge in engagement resulted in 5,644 winners receiving prizes amounting to Rs 3.36 crore," he added.
Cheema said the scheme's focus on encouraging citizens to demand bills had a profound impact on tax enforcement. "Penalties worth Rs 9.1 crore were levied on entities found guilty of irregularities in bill issuance. Of this, Rs 7.31 crore was already recovered, marking a significant step forward in ensuring fiscal accountability," Cheema added.
He said the scheme expanded the tax base by facilitating 135 new registrations.
The minister also shared details of the lucky draw for July 2025 held at the department's head office in Patiala on Aug 7. "The draw, which involved 6,345 bills uploaded on the app in July 2025, resulted in 257 winners being selected and collectively receiving Rs 15.3 lakh in prize money," he said, emphasising that the department promptly transfers the prize amount to winners' bank accounts upon receipt of the necessary details, including account numbers.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Oldest Stars Who Are Still Alive And Often Forgotten
PersonalHealthMag.com
Undo
He clarified that bills pertaining to petroleum products (including crude oil, petrol, diesel, aviation turbine fuel, and natural gas), liquor, out-of-state purchases, and B2B transactions are excluded from the scheme's eligibility criteria.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
30 minutes ago
- Indian Express
CBI arrests two senior CPWD engineers for taking bribe
Five persons, including two senior engineers of the Central Public Works Department (CPWD), were arrested by the CBI on Monday for allegedly taking bribes to clear pending bills of a private contractor involved in executing works at Chanakyapuri in Delhi. Four more engineers, who have been booked, are being questioned, the central agency said. The CBI identified the arrested persons as Jai Prakash, executive engineer (Civil); Prabhat Chaurasiya, assistant engineer (Civil); as well as Shubham Goel, and his father Rajesh Goel, the owner of Shubham Electricals. 'The CBI registered a case on August 11 against 12 persons, including the four arrested accused. The agency had received information that Shubham would be paying a bribe of Rs 6 lakh to Jai Prakash on August 11. Accordingly, a trap was laid and both were caught along with money,' a CBI spokesperson said, adding that CPWD has awarded multiple contracts to Shubham Electricals. The agency said that searches were conducted at 10 places during which Rs 55 lakh in cash was recovered. The CBI alleged in the FIR that on August 1, it received a tip-off stating that Shubham has informed his father that CPWD has sought a payment of Rs 1.52 crore against some of the company's pending bills. He also allegedly asked Rajesh on how much bribe money is to be given to various CPWD officers. 'His father directed that 3% of total bill is to be given to the executive engineer, 2% to the assistant engineer and the junior engineer, 1% to the CPWD accounts section, 1% to computer operators and clerks, and rest 1-2% to the superintending engineer for the award of the tender,' the FIR stated. It accused CPWD engineers of taking bribes from private contractors engaged in executing works in Chanakyapuri in lieu of extending undue favours in awarding contracts, allowing poor quality construction materials and clearing inflated bills, as well as causing wrongful loss to government exchequer.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
No coercive action against overage vehicles: Supreme Court
NEW DELHI: In a relief to owners facing the threat of their overage vehicles being impounded by city authorities, Supreme Court Tuesday directed no coercive action be taken against them and agreed to re-examine its 2018 order by which it had banned the plying of over 15-year-old petrol and 10-year-old diesel vehicles. The respite came after SG Tushar Mehta and additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for Delhi govt, appealed to a three-judge bench led by CJI Gavai to recall the order on the grounds it was causing hardships to citizens of Delhi and that pollution, contrary to assumption, is not directly related to the age of vehicles due to advancements in technology and use of BS VI emission norm. In its application, govt said there was a need for a graded, balanced and technology-driven regime to handle vehicular pollution, and that instead of an age-based blanket ban, a scientific and data-driven framework should be developed that considers all relevant indicators to ascertain pollution by individual vehicles. It submitted such a policy would ensure not only the protection of the environment through the phasing out of polluting vehicles but also preserve the rights of responsible vehicle owners. No scientific basis for taking overage vehicles off roads, govt pleaded in apex court A senior citizen and owner of a 2011 BMW car, apprehending impounding of his vehicle, also moved the court and his lawyer Charu Mathur contended that a complete ban on vehicles based on their age rather than fitness or compliance with emission norms was wrong and needed to be examined. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sattva Lumina premium apartments: 2 BHK from ₹1.12 crore* and 3 BHK from ₹1.54 crore* Sattva Lumina Get Quote Undo by Taboola by Taboola The bench, also comprising Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, after a brief hearing, agreed to examine their plea. "Issue notice. Returnable in four weeks. In the meantime no coercive steps should be taken against the owners of (such) vehicles on the ground... List it after four weeks," it said. The 2018 SC order was not vigorously implemented by authorities and was done only last year, which led to public outcry, following which the drive to impound the vehicles was halted. This compelled govt to seek recall of the SC order. The govt in its application said, "It is submitted that if the order of this court dated 29.10.2018 continues to operate, it will result in road worthy, non-polluting BS-VI vehicles also going off the roads in a matter of a few years without a scientific basis for the same. Further, it is respectfully submitted that there does not appear to be a scientific basis for mandating that even BS-IV vehicles which meet PUC norms should be taken off the roads in Delhi NCR. It is submitted that these are serious issues which may require a fresh scientific evaluation". "It is respectfully submitted that the order passed by this court was originally passed as an emergency measure during a period when BS-IV emission standards were in force and the migration to BS-VI, which has much stricter and advanced norms, had not yet commenced," the govt said. "However, it is submitted that to tackle the issue of pollution in NCR, a comprehensive policy is required which gives vehicle fitness based on the actual emission levels of an individual vehicle as per scientific methods rather than implementing a blanket ban based solely on the age of the vehicle," it said.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Today, August 13, 2025: Your patience will be rewarded
Today reminds you that patience is a valuable virtue, and your steady efforts will soon bear fruit. Even if progress seems slow, trust that your perseverance is building a strong foundation. Avoid rushing or forcing outcomes. Take time to reflect and maintain your calm. Small positive changes are happening behind the scenes, so stay hopeful and focused. Your ability to wait wisely will bring long-term success and satisfaction. Patience today strengthens your resilience for the future. Sagittarius Love Horoscope Today In love, patience will deepen your relationships. If you face misunderstandings or delays, avoid reacting impulsively. Give your partner or potential love interests the space and time needed to grow closer naturally. Trust that mutual respect and understanding develop gradually. Singles may feel frustrated by slow progress but remember that lasting love comes with time. Patience fosters stronger emotional bonds and creates a stable foundation for joy and trust in your love life. Sagittarius Career Horoscope Today Career demands patience as well. Projects may take longer than expected, but steady work and persistence will impress your superiors. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If A Cat Bites Their Owner Heres What It Really Means Gloriousa Undo Avoid frustration or impatience that might cloud your judgment. Focus on refining skills and preparing for future opportunities. Networking and teamwork benefit from calm and respectful communication. Trust that your efforts will lead to recognition and growth. Your steady dedication today ensures success and advancement in the near future. Sagittarius Money Horoscope Today Financially, patience is needed to manage expenses and investments wisely. Avoid impulsive decisions based on immediate desires or anxiety. Savings and thoughtful spending create stability. If debts or payments are pending, be patient with the process and communicate clearly. Trust that your cautious approach will help you build a secure financial base. Sagittarius Health Horoscope Today Health requires gentle patience with your body's rhythms. Avoid pushing yourself too hard if energy feels low or recovery takes longer than usual. Rest, proper nutrition, and mild exercise support healing. Managing stress through mindfulness or breathing exercises will improve well-being. Being patient with your health helps prevent burnout and promotes lasting strength. Trust the natural pace of your body and give yourself time to feel balanced and refreshed. Discover everything about astrology at Times of India , including daily horoscopes for Aries , Taurus , Gemini , Cancer , Leo , Virgo , Libra , Scorpio , Sagittarius , Capricorn , Aquarius , and Pisces . Read your detailed Horoscope Today and Horoscope Tomorrow here.
