Punjab Extends ‘Bill Liyao Inaam Pao’ Scheme for One Year; ₹9.40-Cr Penalties Raised, ₹7.31-Cr Recovered: Harpal Cheema

The Punjab Government has extended its “Bill Liyao Inaam Pao” (Mera Bill) scheme for another year, Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Tuesday.

Cheema said the scheme has so far resulted in penalty demands of ₹9.40 crore, of which ₹7.31 crore has been recovered. It has also helped register 135 new dealers, according to figures shared by the minister.

He said the consumer incentive component of the scheme has also recorded significant participation. Across 4,058 draws conducted during the financial years 2025–26 and 2026–27, 3,548 winners were verified and awarded total prize money of ₹2,30,38,070.

Of these, 3,080 verified winners received ₹1,98,15,980 during 2025–26, while draws continuing into 2026–27 have resulted in a further ₹32,22,090 being distributed.

Cheema said the scheme has strengthened bill verification and helped the Taxation Department identify cases of non-compliance. He said the initiative has simultaneously encouraged consumers to demand genuine bills and helped widen the state’s tax base.

Reviewing enforcement action during the six-month period from March 1 to August 31, 2026, the Finance Minister highlighted a major case involving a penalty demand of ₹33,06,280. He said he had directed the Taxation Department and concerned field officers to prioritise recovery of the pending amount within a month and submit an Action Taken Report.

The “Bill Liyao Inaam Pao” scheme, launched in September 2023, is aimed at encouraging consumers to obtain bills for their purchases and strengthening tax compliance. Earlier data released by the state had also shown the scheme facilitating additional tax registrations and recovery of penalties linked to billing irregularities.

Cheema urged consumers across Punjab to insist on genuine bills for their purchases and participate in the scheme’s draws, saying public participation can help the state curb tax evasion and strengthen revenue collection.