Punjab FM Harpal Cheema hauls up excise officials over delay in clearing files

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday hauled up excise and taxation official here over the alleged delay in clearing files and said it would be “treated as a form of corruption”.

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Cheema, who also holds the excise and taxation portfolio, issued the warning during a surprise inspection at the department’s head office here.

The visit came following multiple complaints from traders and industrialists against department officials.

According to sources, several officials are under the scanner for “harassing traders and industrialists”.

Cheema took with him some files that were pending with officials, they said.

A source said traders had filed complaints with the minister about the working of the GST division and frequent “arm-twisting by department officials”.

“Some senior officers are under the scanner and necessary action is in the pipeline,” the source added.

Earlier in the day, during the visit, Cheema inspected various branches of the office.

The minister checked attendance of the officers and other employees. He also scrutinised the files and assessed the general pace of work.

Cheema seized several documents “compiled a list of files that will be subject to further scrutiny” and action.

“Even a day of unnecessary delay in official work is unacceptable,” he told The Tribune.

“Every officer has the right to submit a report based on facts, whether positive or negative, but intentional delay will not be tolerated,” he added.

Cheema said he had received complaints against officers “deliberately trying to harass businessmen and industrialists”.

Speaking to the media after the inspection, Cheema said, “Those who delay official work are equally responsible for corruption. We are committed to delivering a transparent, honest and time-bound administration under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.”

In response to a media query, Cheema said action was already being taken against commercial vehicles —particularly heavy vehicles — evading GST or involved in other forms of tax fraud on highways.

“We are against harassment of traders, but enforcement drives will continue with full force against tax defaulters,” Cheema said.