In a major Diwali gift to the traders of the state, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday gave approval for introducing the Punjab One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for settlement of pre-GST arrears thereby benefitting more than 60,000 traders.

A decision to this effect was taken by the Council Of Ministers in its meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister here at his office in Punjab Civil Secretariat I.

Disclosing this here today a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the Scheme has been launched for recovery of Outstanding Dues, 2023 for settlement of pre-GST arrears to enable reduction of compliance burden of legacy cases. The OTS will be applicable from November 15, 2023 and will be valid till March 15, 2024 and Taxpayers whose assessments have been framed till March 31, 2023 with amount of total demand (tax, penalty and interest up to March 31, 2023) up to Rs. 1 Crore, shall be eligible to apply for settlement under this Scheme. The OTS would provide complete waiver in case of arrears up to Rs. 1 lakh as on March 31, 2023 which would cover nearly 39,787 cases and a further, waiver of 100% interest, 100% penalty and 50% of the tax amount is being given in nearly 19,361 cases.

GIVES NOD TO START MUKH MANTRI TIRATH YATRA SCHEME FROM NOVEMBER 27

The Cabinet also gave nod to start ‘Mukh Mantri’ Tirath Yatra Scheme for enabling the people of the state to visit various pilgrimage sites across the country free of cost from the upcoming parkash purab of Sri Guru Nanak Dev ji on November 27. As it is the aspiration of every person of the state that he/she must visit the pilgrimage places such as Sri Hazur Sahib Nanded, Sri Patna Sahib, Varanasi, Ayodhya Mandir and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh and Sri Ajmer Sharif, Rajasthan, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Sri Amritsar Sahib, Salasar Dham, Khaatu Shyam ji, Mata Chintpurni, Mata Vaishno Devi, Mata Jawalaji and others, at least once in his for which this scheme has been started. So as per the scheme there will be two modes of travel and for long distance destinations, mode of travel will be by Train whereas for shorter distances, mode of travel will be by road.

CONSENT TO Double the EX-GRATIA GRANT OF DISABLED SOLDIERS

The Cabinet also gave its consent to double ex-gratia grant of Disabled Soldiers both from Military and Para-Military force with disability from 76% to 100% to Rs 40 Lakh, disabled soldiers with 51% to 75% disability to Rs 20 Lakh and disabled soldiers with 25% to 50% disability to Rs 10 Lakhs. Soldiers with disability from 76% to 100% were earlier getting Rs 20 Lakh, disabled soldiers with 51% to 75% were getting Rs 10 Lakh and disabled soldiers with 25% to 50% disability were earlier getting Rs 5 Lakhs as financial assistance. The move is aimed at ensuring the well being of ex-servicemen and their dependents to ensure that they lead a dignified life in the society.

GREEN SIGNAL TO AMEND “THE EAST PUNJAB WAR AWARDS ACT, 1948”

The Cabinet also gave green signal to amend “The East Punjab War Awards Act, 1948” for enhancing the financial assistance of 83 beneficiaries from Rs 10,000 per annum to Rs 20,000 per annum. The Government of Punjab provides War Jagir as financial assistance to those parents whose only child or two to three children had served in the Indian Army during the Second World War, National Emergency 1962 and 1971 under “The East Punjab War Awards Act 1948”, Presently 83 beneficiaries are availing benefits under this policy. Accordingly, Punjab has announced that financial assistance to those parents whose only child or two to three children had served in the Indian Army during the Second World War, National Emergency 1962 and 1971 under “The East Punjab War Awards Act 1948” will be increased from Rs. 10,000/-per annum to Rs. 20,000/- per annum.

GIVES NOD TO CREATE A STATE CADRE OF PATWARIS AND KANUNGOS

The Cabinet also gave nod to create a state cadre of Patwaris and Kanungos to streamline the functioning of the Revenue department. This will help in preparing, maintaining, updating and maintaining old revenue records thereby facilitating the people in a big way. This will also help in reducing the litigations arising due to discrepancies in land records.

GIVES EX-POST FACTO APPROVAL TO CONSTITUTE SUBCOMMITTEE REGARDING THEKA EMPLOYEES SANGARSH COMMITTEE

The Cabinet also gave the ex-post facto approval to constitute a sub-committee and thereafter amendments regarding Theka Employees Sanghrash Morcha Punjab, Land Acquisition Sangharsh Committee and others, Gazetted & Non-Gazetted SC., B.C. Employees Welfare Federation Punjab and others, Sub-Committee constituted for issues related to 31 Members Core Committee and representative for the issues related to the GOG.

APPROVES ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS

The Cabinet also gave its approval to the Annual Administrative Reports of the Police Department and Vigilance Bureau, Punjab for the year 2020 and 2022 respectively. The Annual Administrative Reports of the Social Security and Women & Child Development and Labour Department for the year 2022-23 and 2019-20 respectively were also cleared by the Cabinet.