Mann Government prepares Punjab Vision Document to create Rangla Punjab: Harpal Singh Cheema

Published on: 23 Aug 2023 at 05:21 PM

Published by: The fact news

The Fact News Service

Patiala, August 23

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has drafted the Punjab Vision Document under which a comprehensive strategy has been chalked out to provide better services to the residents of the state besides strengthening the state economy. He expressed these views while addressing the students during ‘G-20 University Connect’ program organised here at Punjabi University. He gave a clarion call to the students to contribute to the prosperity of Punjab.

Highlighting the initiatives taken by the state government to increase its own revenue, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the state government has increased its Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection by around Rs 5000 crores during fiscal year 2022-23. He said that state has been increasing its tax base by creating a strong check on tax evasion rather than imposing any additional tax burden on its residents. “During current financial year the target is to collect Rs 20509 crores which was Rs 11,808 crore in the year 2022”, said the Finance Minister while adding that he wished to achieving a round figure of Rs 21000 crores.

Targeting previous state governments for not doing the needful to improve state economy, Cheema said that earlier governments remained busy in raising hue and cry about the empty treasury and caused a huge financial loss to the state by failing to adopt constructive policies to improve its economic health. He said that Mann government succeeded to increase its GST revenue to the tune of Rs 16,200 crores during first fiscal year of its regime. He said that the government has adopted many technological innovations to prevent tax evasion, and has also launched the ‘Mera Bill’ app under the ‘Bill Liao, Inam Pao’ scheme to incentivize citizens to ask for genuine invoices from sellers.

Cheema said that the if the initiatives being taken by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann led government to improve the economy had been done five years ago, the state would have been enjoying a better economic health. He said that the financial irregularities that have taken place during the previous governments were borne by the people of the state. He said that state government has also succeeded in attracting investment of around Rs 52000 crore during the Punjab Investment Summit, which will provide employment opportunities to the youth of the state.

Talking about the economic crisis of Punjabi University, the Finance Minister said that the Punjab government has increased the grant of the university from Rs. 9.50 crores to Rs. 30 crores per month, so that the employees can get their salaries on time. He said that Punjabi University which imparts education to the students of Malwa region will not be allowed to face any shortage of funds.

The finance Minister appreciated the special provision made at ‘G-20 University Connect’ program for students with hearing and speech disability.

Meanwhile, speaking on the topic ‘The Rise of India in Global Stage’, ‘G-20 University Connect’ programme Ambassador Navdeep Suri said that India has created a distinct identity at the global level by working on its foreign policy, which strengthened country’s bilateral relations with the developed nations. On this occasion, Prof. Ranjit Singh Ghuman and Rahul Ranjan also presented their views.

The Vice Chancellor of the Punjabi University Prof. Arvind said that the financial support extended by the state government has helped the University to retain its fiscal health and it has also succeded in increasing admissions this year. He said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann understands the importance of educational institutions and has decided to release funds to them on a priority basis.

On this occasion, the convener of the program Prof. Anupama welcomed all and shared information in detail about the ‘G-20 University Connect’ program conducted by RIS.

Prominent amongst others, District Planning Committee Chairman Jassi Sohia Wala, SDM Ismit Vijay Singh, Dean Academic Prof. Ashok Kumar Tiwari were also present on this occasion.