Jalandhar: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema hoisted the national flag on the occasion of district level Republic Day in Jalandhar. On this occasion, he was also accompanied by DC Vishesh Sarangal and Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma.
He also inspected the march past and saluted the contingents of Police, Home Guard and NCC. Finance Minister Cheema said in his address that Punjabis have made a huge contribution to the country’s independence. Referring to the martyrs, he said that many movements were started to free the people of India from the chains of slavery.
He said that Punjab and Punjabis have not only contributed to the freedom movement but have also contributed immensely to the progress of the country after independence.
He said whether it is a matter of filling the country’s grain stores or building infrastructure, Punjab has always contributed in a big way.
Referring to his ministry, Cheema said that till December 2022, there has been an increase of 16.52 percent in GST. Similarly, Excise has earned a profit of more than 10 percent. He said that in comparison to the year 2022-23, in the financial year 2023-24 till the month of December, we have earned more than 14 percent profit from GST, Excise, Vat and other taxes.
The amount given to the families of brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the country has been increased from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. The pension of the soldiers who participated in the war and their widows who were sent home without pension benefits has also been increased from Rs 6 thousand to Rs 10 thousand.
He said that our government has launched a large-scale campaign to eliminate corruption from the state, which has yielded positive results. He said that the Punjab government has taken action against more than 550 corrupt people in the war against corruption.