Latest news with #HarpalSinghCheemaCheema
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Punjab govt to set up special unit to tackle GST violations
To institutionalise tax enforcement, finance and taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday announced the decision to establish a state-level special fraud detection unit (SFDU) headquartered at Patiala. This dedicated Unit will streamline the detection and bring consistency in investigating complex cases involving Goods and Services Tax (GST) violations. Punjab cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema Cheema stated that the SFDU will be tasked with uncovering and probing high-value GST frauds, with particular focus on breaking down circular trading operations, unearthing benami (anonymous) transactions, and eliminating the practice of fake invoicing. 'The unit will be empowered to initiate stringent enforcement actions, including cancellation of suspicious GST identification numbers (GSTINs), blocking wrongful claims of input tax credit (ITC), and recommending prosecution against offenders to uphold legal accountability', he added. The FM highlighted that the SFDU will leverage advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and centralised backend operations, to enhance its detection capabilities. The Unit will conduct comprehensive data mining and pattern recognition across the state to identify anomalies in tax returns, transaction networks, and goods movement. He further stated that the Unit will use data-driven red flags to selectively verify only dubious or miscreant taxpayers, protecting honest taxpayers from unnecessary scrutiny. This strategic approach aims to strike a balance between effective enforcement and taxpayer facilitation, ensuring a more efficient and taxpayer-friendly administration, he emphasised. Detailing the composition of the SFDU, Cheema stated that the Unit will comprise a multidisciplinary team consisting of experienced tax officers, skilled IT professionals, a chartered accountant, and a legal officer. He said that this team will be equipped with real-time access to critical datasets such as GSTN information, e-way bill tracking, toll records, and RFID trail analytics, enabling prompt and precise action against tax evasion. The minister informed that SFDU will be empowered by robust legal provisions under Sections 67, 70, 74, and 132 of the CGST/PGST Acts, complemented by relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Hindustan Times
30-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Punjab extends dental faculty retirement age to 65
Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced the approval of a proposal to increase the retirement age of doctors and dental faculty under the Punjab Dental Education (Group-A) Service Rules, 2016, from 62 to 65 years. Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema Cheema said, 'The proposal, submitted by the department of medical education and research, was cleared to bring parity with the existing policy for medical teaching faculty at government medical colleges in Amritsar and Patiala.' 'The decision will help retain the highly skilled dental teaching faculty for a longer period, thereby improving the quality and performance of the medical education and research sector in the state.' The revised policy will benefit 113 professionals—112 dental teaching faculty members and one joint director—by extending their service tenure by three years. The finance minister said that the extension is aimed at utilising the expertise of senior faculty to strengthen the state's dental healthcare system and enhance academic standards. 'By retaining the services of this experienced faculty, the Punjab government seeks to harness their knowledge for the benefit of students and patients alike,' Cheema added.
