CHANDIGARH: Announcing the remarkable success of the "Bill Liao Inam Pao" scheme, which has garnered widespread participation and enthusiasm among the public, Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Saturday said that a total of 97443 bills were uploaded on the Mera Bill app, resulting in 2601 winners receiving prizes worth Rs 1, 51, 62, 335.
Revealing this in a press communique issued here, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the scheme has also led to a significant increase in tax compliance, with penalties worth Rs 7, 92, 72, 741 being charged to those who found guilty of irregularities in bill issuance. "To date, penalties worth Rs 6, 16, 98, 869 have been recovered", he added.
Adding further, the Finance Minister said that the prizes worth Rs 1, 10, 22, 885 have been already distributed to 1892 winners. He said that the process of awarding prizes worth Rs 41, 39, 450 to the remaining 709 winners is underway and will be completed soon.
The Finance Minister said that the "Bill Liao Inam Pao" scheme was launched to promote tax awareness and encourage people to demand receipts for their purchases. The scheme's success is a testament to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's efforts to create a culture of transparency and accountability in taxation, he added.
"We are thrilled with the response to the 'Bill Liao Inam Pao' scheme, " said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema while adding, "We will continue to innovate and implement initiatives that benefit the people of Punjab and promote a culture of tax compliance."