Minister Harpal Cheema : Over ₹31,156 Crore Revenue Collected Till December This Financial Year
Punjab Finance, Planning, Programme Implementation, and Taxation Minister, Minister Harpal Cheema, hoisted the National Flag at the district-level function held at Police Line Stadium, Sangrur, to mark India’s 76th Republic Day. He also inspected the parade and took the salute from various contingents.
During his address, Minister Harpal Cheema extended warm wishes to all citizens on this momentous occasion. He highlighted that January 26, 1950, marked the adoption of the Indian Constitution, establishing the Republic of India, and expressed pride in the nation being the world’s largest democracy. He paid tribute to Babasaheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Constitution, and honored the brave soldiers of the armed forces for their vital role in safeguarding India’s sovereignty and integrity.
Highlighting the Punjab government’s pro-people initiatives under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the welfare of army personnel, martyrs’ families, and ex-servicemen. He announced that the ex-gratia amount for families of martyred soldiers has been increased from ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore, and the same financial assistance is provided to families of police personnel who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty. Additionally, pensions for freedom fighters and their heirs have been raised from ₹9,400 to ₹11,000, and 1% of direct recruitment is reserved for freedom fighters’ heirs.
Minister Harpal Cheema proudly shared that Punjab has achieved record-breaking revenue, surpassing ₹30,000 crore for the first time in the first nine months of a financial year. By December, the state had generated over ₹31,156 crore from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and excise. He also highlighted the success of the “Bill Liyao, Inam Pao” scheme, launched in September 2023 to encourage citizens to demand purchase bills. As of January 2025, the scheme has held 16 draws, rewarding 3,850 winners with prizes worth ₹2.27 crore for uploading purchase bills through the ‘Mera Bill’ app. Minister Cheema urged the public to obtain bills for purchases, emphasizing the importance of preventing fraud and contributing to Punjab’s progress.
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema emphasized the Punjab government’s unwavering commitment to bolstering the state’s economy, creating job opportunities, improving health, education, and sports facilities, providing free electricity to combat inflation, and introducing administrative reforms. He highlighted that nearly 50,000 government jobs have been offered in the past 34 months, with plans to continue this momentum.
Detailing development initiatives in Sangrur district, Cheema mentioned the establishment of the C-PYTE center in Kheri village, 35 Aam Aadmi clinics in rural areas, 11 in urban areas, and the upgrading of Government Civil Hospital Sangrur. Additional projects include the construction of a new floor at the Nursing College, a new block at the Sub-Divisional Hospital and Maternal and Child Care Building in Dhuri, a community health center in Kauhrian, and eight Schools of Eminence equipped with transport facilities.
The minister also shared that Punjab made history by acquiring the private thermal plant in Goindwal Sahib for ₹1,080 crore, becoming the first state government to take over a private thermal plant. Furthermore, he highlighted the construction of Ambedkar Bhawan, a community center in Dirba, built at a cost of ₹2.25 crore to host social events at affordable rates.
The event showcased tableaux highlighting key Punjab Government initiatives, such as the Health Department’s Non-Communicable Disease Control Program, CM Yogshala, Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan Season 3, the campaign against stubble burning, PSPCL, Schools of Eminence, the MGNREGA Scheme, and the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF). Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema also honored the families of freedom fighters during the occasion.
Students from various schools presented captivating performances, including Bengali folk dance, Punjabi folk dances like Giddha and Bhangra, and patriotic cultural programs, which received great appreciation from the audience. The event also saw the distribution of sewing machines to the needy and tricycles to disabled individuals. Minister Harpal Cheema recognized several prominent personalities from Sangrur district for their achievements in different fields.
Impressed by the students’ cultural presentations,Minister Harpal Cheema announced a holiday on January 27 for all participating schools. Awards were given to the best tableaux, with the Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF) securing first place, PSPCL second, and a tie for third place between the School of Eminence and Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan. Parade commander DSP Major Gurpreet Singh, along with other parade contingent leaders, was also honored. Additionally, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi and SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal presented mementos to Finance Minister Cheema and MLA Narinder Kaur Bharaj on behalf of the district administration.
Minister Harpal Cheema, accompanied by MLA Sangrur Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Rishi, and SSP Sartaj Singh Chahal, paid homage to martyrs at the Police Memorial in Police Lines.
The event was graced by District and Sessions Judge Munish Singal, along with judicial officers and several dignitaries, including Punjab Small Scale Industries Corporation Chairman Dalbir Singh Dhillon, Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Chairman Jasvir Singh Kudni, Gau Sewa Commission Chairman Ashok Singla, Improvement Trust Chairman Pritam Singh Peetu, Market Committee Sangrur Chairman Avtar Singh Elwal, Market Committee Dhuri Chairman Rajwant Singh Ghulli, and OSD to the Cabinet Minister Tapinder Singh Sohi. Other notable attendees included ADC (Development) Sukhchain Singh Papra, CM Field Officer Dr. Karamjit Singh, SDM Sangrur Charanjot Singh Walia, Assistant Commissioner Under Training Dr. Aditya, and Assistant Commissioner Upinderjit Kaur Brar, alongside administrative and police officers, department heads, teachers, students, and local residents.