Punjab’s Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema conducted an unannounced inspection of the Excise and Taxation Department’s headquarters in Patiala today. Arriving just after lunch with Excise Commissioner Jatinder Jorwal, the Minister visited multiple sections of the office to assess operations.
During the surprise visit, Cheema reviewed staff attendance, examined files on desks, and evaluated the overall efficiency of departmental functioning. Expressing serious concern over unnecessary delays in handling files and cases, he stated that such delays would be considered a form of corruption.
Both Cheema and the Excise Commissioner seized various documents and listed several files for detailed review and potential action.
The Minister also assessed the performance of the e-office system and stressed the importance of timely file clearance. He emphasized that no avoidable delay would be tolerated, and officers must submit factual reports, whether positive or negative, without resorting to procrastination.
Cheema also summoned superintendents and senior officials to verify attendance records, particularly focusing on absentees who had not officially recorded their movement. Disciplinary action has been initiated against staff who left their posts without prior approval.
Speaking to the media after the inspection, Cheema said, “Delays in official work are no less than corruption. Under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, our goal is to provide a transparent, honest, and time-bound governance system.”
Responding to a media question, he stated that strict action is being taken against commercial and heavy vehicles evading GST or committing tax fraud on highways, and such enforcement measures will continue vigorously.
Cheema reiterated the Aam Aadmi Party government’s commitment to clean, accountable, and efficient administration, in line with the promises made to the public.
Among those present during the inspection were Excise and Taxation Commissioner Jatinder Jorwal, Director (Investigation) Jaskaran Singh Brar, Additional Director Gurpreet Singh, AIG Sukhminder Singh Chauhan, along with other senior departmental officers.