- Total evasion may touch ₹500 crore as investigation expands: Harpal Singh Cheema
- 882 establishments under scanner, ₹2.02 crore already recovered
- Dhabas, eateries, and fast-food chains major contributors to suppression
Chandigarh, March 30
Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Cheema on Monday exposed a massive ₹200 crore turnover evasion racket in the state’s hospitality sector, revealing deep-rooted and systemic under-reporting across dhabas, eateries, restaurants, bakeries, sweet shops, and fast-food outlets.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, the Minister said the Mann Government has launched an aggressive, technology-driven crackdown to protect public revenue. With 882 establishments already under scrutiny and ₹2.02 crore recovered so far, he warned that the total evasion figure could rise to nearly ₹500 crore as more data is analysed.
Cheema stated, “Through a comprehensive statewide data-driven enforcement exercise covering hotels, dhabas, eateries, bakeries, sweet shops, restaurants, catering services, and similar establishments, we have identified 882 cases pertaining to FY 2025–26.”
He added, “With further analysis and inclusion of data from FY 2023–24 and 2024–25, the total magnitude of evasion is likely to reach approximately ₹500 crore.”
Detailing the findings, the Minister said, “In the preliminary inquiry conducted so far, 239 cases have been examined, resulting in the detection of turnover suppression of approximately ₹50 crore. This involves a tax of ₹2.54 crore at a 5% rate, out of which ₹2.02 crore has already been recovered, with further recovery proceedings underway.”
Highlighting sector-wise trends, he noted:
- Dhabas: ≈ ₹10 crore suppression
- Small eateries, coffee & chai bars: ≈ ₹8 crore
- Pizza & fast-food outlets: > ₹6 crore
District-wise, Mohali led with ₹8.16 crore suppression, followed by Jalandhar (₹6.72 crore) and Ludhiana (₹5.48 crore).
The Minister credited the Tax Intelligence Unit (TIU), State Investigation and Preventive Unit (SIPU), and the hugely successful ‘Bill Liyao, Inam Pao’ scheme for enabling this large-scale detection.
watch….ਆਪ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦੇ 4 ਸਾਲ: ਗਾਰੰਟੀਆਂ ਪੂਰੀਆਂ, ਨਸ਼ੇ ਮੁਕਤ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਨੇੜੇ
He further informed that the department is now obtaining UPI transaction data and other digital payment trails to enable deeper reconciliation between actual receipts and reported turnover.
Cheema issued a strong warning, saying, “The Bhagwant Mann Government is fully committed to using technology, data analytics, and coordinated enforcement to ensure tax compliance and safeguard state revenue. Strict action will be taken against all evaders, while compliant taxpayers will continue to be facilitated.”
He assured that the entire verification and recovery exercise will be completed within the next one month.
