Cheema Warns Tax Evaders; GST Department Crackdown Nets ₹7 Crore Worth of Goods, ₹3.5 Crore Fine Imposed

Ludhiana: Punjab Government’s GST Department has seized 2,400 metric tonnes of goods worth nearly ₹7 crore during a week-long enforcement drive in Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna, uncovering alleged tax evasion involving goods traded without valid invoices or on the basis of fake bills. The department has also imposed penalties amounting to ₹3.5 crore on the traders concerned as part of its ongoing crackdown on GST violations across the state.
Addressing the media on Saturday, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state government will not tolerate tax evasion under any circumstances. He asserted that the Bhagwant Mann-led government has put an end to the practices that allegedly flourished under previous administrations and is committed to ensuring strict compliance with tax laws.
Cheema said the government has constituted special enforcement teams across Punjab to monitor suspicious business activities and prevent revenue leakage. According to him, the raids in Mandi Gobindgarh and Khanna were carried out after authorities received complaints of large-scale tax evasion in the two industrial hubs.
Officials found that a significant quantity of goods was allegedly being traded without proper documentation or through fake billing, leading to the seizure of goods valued at approximately ₹7 crore.
The Finance Minister warned that no one involved in tax evasion will be spared, adding that strict legal action will continue against those attempting to defraud the state exchequer.
Cheema also appealed to industrialists and traders to conduct business within the legal framework and avoid any unlawful practices. He said the Punjab government stands firmly with honest businesses and entrepreneurs and will continue to support those who comply with tax regulations.