Latest news with #HarpalSinghCheema
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Land policy withdrawal reinforces farm groups' influence in rural Punjab
Bathinda: Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday rejected parallels between the rollback of the Land Pooling Policy 2025 and the repeal of the Centre's three farm laws in 2021, but protests against the policy have achieved what Jagjit Singh Dallewal's hunger strike could not — reinforce the influence of farm groups in rural Punjab. Farm unity and support for farm unions in Punjab found little support when the state govt dismantled the protests at Shambhu and Khanauri in March this year. This lack of support had been growing against a narrative that was being built against them. It started when Dallewal broke away to form a separate faction named SKM (Non-Political), while groups led by veteran leader Balbir Singh Rajewal ventured into electoral politics, unsuccessfully contesting the Feb 2022 assembly elections. Another blow came on March 3 this year, when chief minister Bhagwant Mann invited SKM-affiliated farmer organisations for talks ahead of their planned protest in Chandigarh on March 5. The meeting ended in acrimony, with farmers accusing the CM of insulting them. Tensions escalated on March 19, when leaders from SKM (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha were returning from a meeting with central and state ministers. Punjab govt detained several farm leaders and dismantled protest sites at Shambhu and Khanauri, marking another low point for the movement. "Considering all this, the state may have assumed that the farm movement was on its last leg. But when the Punjab govt introduced the land pooling policy on May 14, it inadvertently helped consolidate the farming community, as the policy directly threatened their interests," said Hamir Singh, who has been folowingthe protests closely. Hamir said like the 2020-21 farm stir, which gradually grew into a large movement, the protests against the policy too grew over time. "Within no time, the protests evolved into a full-fledged movement," he said. In earlier protests against AAP govt in Punjab, villagers had mobilised independently, forming local-level committees with some support from farm organisations. This time too, said Hamir Singh, villages in Ludhiana began resisting the policy on their own. "But as the issue grew in scale, farm groups joined the cause, transforming scattered resistance into a full-fledged movement," he added. Social activist Samita Kaur said farm groups should also put their attention to other issues facing Punjab. "The state is facing a crisis of water contamination, which is causing health problems—even if scientific studies haven't yet conclusively proven it. Add to that the central govt's increasing control over dam safety. It's clear that a united farm movement is essential to pressure govts," she said. 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.
News18
a day ago
- News18
Punjab Police held 104 drug smugglers after raids at 335 locations
Agency: Last Updated: August 11, 2025, 23:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Amritsar (Punjab) [India], August 11 (ANI): Continuing the war against drugs 'Yudh Nashian Virudh" waged by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann to eradicate drug menace from state consecutively for the 163rd day, Punjab Police conducted raids at 335 locations on Monday leading to the arrest of 104 drug smugglers after registration of 74 first information reports (FIRs) across the state. According to an official release, the total number of drug smugglers arrested has reached 25,524 in 163 raids have resulted in the recovery of 6.4 kg of heroin, 500 grams of opium, and 1092 intoxicant tablets/capsules from the possession of arrested drug operation was conducted on the directions of the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the CM Bhagwant Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab a drug-free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against details, Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla informed that over 120 Police teams, comprising over 1000 police personnel, under the supervision of 67 gazetted officers, have conducted raids across the state. Police teams have also checked as many as 366 suspicious persons during the day-long operation, he Special DGP said that with the state government has enforced a three-pronged strategy– Enforcement, Deaddiction and Prevention (EDP)– to eradicate drugs from the state, the Punjab Police as part of 'De-addiction' has convinced 28 persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment today. Earlier, Punjab Finance Minister and Chairperson of the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the 'War Against Drugs," Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, announced on Saturday that the arrest of Joga Singh, former security officer to MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, is a major breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for victims of the 2015 Gurdev Singh Debi drug alleged that the case, which had been pending for nearly a decade, was delayed due to the accused's alleged political connections with leaders of the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress. (ANI) view comments News agency-feeds Punjab Police held 104 drug smugglers after raids at 335 locations Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Read More
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab: ₹9-crore penalties slapped under consumer bill scheme: Cheema
Punjab finance, planning, excise and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said ₹9.07 crore had been imposed as penalties on entities found guilty of irregularities in issuing bills to consumers since September 2023 when 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme was launched. Launched to encourage responsible consumer behaviour and strengthen tax compliance, the initiative has witnessed 1,76,832 bills being uploaded on the 'Mera Bill app' till July this year. This has resulted in 5,644 winners receiving prizes amounting to ₹3,35,80,215. Punjab finance, planning, excise and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said ₹ 9.07 crore had been imposed as penalties on entities found guilty of irregularities in issuing bills to consumers since September 2023. (File) In a press communique issued here, Cheema said out of ₹9,07,06,102 penalty, ₹7,30,92,230 has been recovered. The scheme has further expanded the tax base by facilitating 135 new registrations, he said. The minister also shared details of the latest lucky draw for July at the department's head office in Patiala held on August 7. The draw, which involved 6,345 bills uploaded on the 'Mera Bill' app in July, resulted in 257 winners being selected and collectively receiving ₹15,30,015 in prize money. He emphasised that the department promptly transfers the prize amount to winners' bank accounts upon receipt of the necessary details, including account numbers. Encouraging continued public participation, Cheema appealed to the people of Punjab to actively engage with the 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme by demanding bills for their purchases. He underscored that every bill uploaded not only offers a chance to win but also contributes meaningfully to the state's efforts in curbing tax evasion and promoting a culture of compliance. Under the scheme, consumers are encouraged to upload bills of their purchases on the Mera Bill app, after which they will automatically become eligible to participate in a lucky draw, which is held on the seventh of each month. The reward will be equivalent to five times the taxable value of goods or services declared in the bill, with a maximum capping of ₹10,000 for each reward. Cheema 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.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab's ‘Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme awards over Rs 3.3 cr in prize, boosts tax compliance: Cheema
Announcing 'strong performance' of Punjab's 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme, Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said since its inception, 1,76,832 bills were uploaded on 'Mera Bill' app and 5,644 winners received a total of Rs 3,35,80,215 in prize. Penalties worth Rs 9,07,06,102 were imposed on entities found guilty of irregularities in issuing bills to consumers, the minister said, adding, ' Of which Rs 7,30,92,230 has already been recovered.' In the July draw, 257 winners shared Rs 15,30,015 in prize money, he said, adding the drive also facilitated 135 new tax registrations. Launched in September 2023, the 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' (Bring Bills, Get Rewards) scheme encourages citizens to demand purchase bills and strengthen tax compliance. The minister urged residents to keep uploading bills, noting that every entry supports the state's anti-tax-evasion efforts and offers citizens a chance to win. 'Bills for petroleum products, liquor, out-of-state purchases and B2B transactions are ineligible, and only bills from the preceding month qualify for the draw,' he clarified. Under this scheme, consumers are encouraged to upload bills of their purchases on the 'mera bill app', after which they will automatically become eligible to participate in a lucky draw, which is held on the seventh of each month. The reward will be equivalent to five times the taxable value of goods or services declared in the bill, with a maximum cap of Rs 10,000 for each reward. Cheema said the department promptly transfers the prize amount to winners' bank accounts upon receipt of the necessary details, including account numbers. 'The success of this initiative stands as a testament to the power of citizen-driven governance and reflects the AAP government's resolve to build a more accountable and participatory fiscal ecosystem,' he said. 'The scheme's dual impact is not only rewarding vigilant consumers but also tightening the state's tax enforcement mechanisms,' the minister added.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Punjab gives away Rs 3.4 crore in prize money under ‘Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme
1 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 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.
