Mann govt extends ‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ scheme for one more year : Cheema

Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh

Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the Bhagwant Mann government has approved the extension of the state’s flagship ‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ (Mera Bill) scheme for another year.

Cheema said the scheme has so far resulted in penalty demands of ₹9.40 crore, of which ₹7.31 crore has been recovered. He added that 135 new dealers have also been registered under the initiative.

Highlighting the participation of consumers, the minister said that 4,058 lucky draws were conducted during the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27. After verification, 3,548 winners were declared eligible and prizes worth ₹2.30 crore were distributed to them.

During FY 2025-26, a total of 3,080 verified winners were awarded ₹1.98 crore, while winners of draws conducted during FY 2026-27 have so far received ₹32.22 lakh.

Cheema said the scheme has helped ensure effective verification of bills and curb violations of tax rules across Punjab. He said continuous monitoring and legal action by the Taxation Department resulted in the identification of violations, imposition of penalties and recovery of revenue.

He said the registration of 135 new dealers had also helped expand the taxpayer base. According to Cheema, the scheme has emerged as a mechanism to increase transparency in the tax system while encouraging consumers to actively participate in checking tax compliance.

Reviewing the action taken under the scheme between March 1 and August 31, 2026, Cheema said a major case involving a penalty of ₹33.06 lakh had been detected. He said he had issued strict directions to the Taxation Department to prioritise recovery of the outstanding amount within the next month.

The minister also directed the concerned field officials to submit a report on the action taken in the case so that it could be placed on record.

Cheema said the government decided to extend the scheme for another year in view of its results in curbing tax evasion, generating revenue, expanding the tax base and rewarding consumers for ensuring billing compliance.

He appealed to people to insist on genuine bills for every purchase and participate actively in the lucky draws under the ‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ scheme. He said greater public participation would help strengthen the state’s revenue system.