Punjab Cabinet on Monday gave its approval to two significant schemes encompassing a free pilgrimage program for state’s elderly residents and a one-time settlement scheme (OTS) for traders looking to clear their tax arrears.

Sharing the Cabinet’s decisions after the meeting, the state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the ‘Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra’ scheme is designed to enable senior citizens to embark on pilgrimages to various religious destinations across the country without incurring any travel costs.

The initiative, to be implemented in celebration of Guru Nanak Dev’s ‘parkash purb’ on November 27, will enable senior citizens to visit sacred sites, including Hazur Sahib, Mata Chintpurni Temple, Mata Jwalaji Temple, Naina Devi Temple, as well as destinations in other states such as Patna Sahib in Bihar, Ayodhya Ram Mandir in Uttar Pradesh, Ajmer Sharif in Rajasthan, Sri Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, and Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, free of cost.

The ‘Mukh Mantri Tirth Yatra’ scheme has been allocated a budget of Rs 40 crore, and a sub-committee has been established to oversee its implementation. The sub-committee is expected to determine the age criteria for eligibility under the scheme.

As per the scheme, there will be two modes of travel and for long distance destinations, mode of travel will be by train whereas for shorter distances, mode of travel will be by road.

A similar initiative, known as the ‘Mukhyamantri Teerth Yatra Yojana’, has been in place in Delhi under the leadership of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) since July 12, 2019. The scheme, launched by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has facilitated pilgrimages for over 75,000 elderly residents in the national capital.

Meanwhile, SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, a day before, maintained that AAP and Kejriwal’s claims that ‘Delhi was the only State to implement the Mukhya Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme and that too under the AAP’ was “totally incorrect” and a “lie”.

“It was Parkash Singh Badal government in Punjab that launched the scheme in 2016 and enabled

lakhs of Punjabis (of all religions) to fulfill their dream of paying obeisance to their respective shrines – be it Harmandir Sahib, Nanded Sahib, Vaishno Devi, Chintpurni, Varanasi, Salasar, Ajmer Sharif and Chennai,” said Sukhbir in a post on X (formerly Twitter), while sharing a “seven-eight years old video”.

Diwali Gift for Traders: OTS Scheme to Settle pre-GST Arrears

In a major Diwali gift to the state’s traders, Punjab Cabinet has given its nod to introduce the Punjab One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme for settlement of pre-GST arrears — benefitting more than 60,000 traders.  Hailing the move, Cheema said that under the OTS, lump-sum taxes of up to Rs one lakh will be waived, benefitting 39,787 traders in Punjab. Furthermore, 50 per cent of tax dues between Rs one lakh and Rs one crore will be waived, and interest and penalty on tax dues will be completely waived. A total of 19,361 such cases will be eligible for relief, benefiting approximately 60,000 traders.

The OTS scheme will apply to pending cases under various tax acts, including the Punjab Value Added Tax Act, 2005; the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956; the Punjab Infrastructure Development Regulation Act, 2002; the Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948; the Punjab Entertainment Tax Act, 1954; the Punjab Tax on Luxuries Act, 2009; and Punjab Institutions and Other Buildings Tax Act, 2011. Cheema said that the OTS will be in effect from November 15, 2023, until March 15, 2024, offering traders an opportunity to settle their tax arrears and benefit from the waiver.

Hikes Ex-Gratia Grant For Disabled Soldiers

In another significant decision, the Cabinet announced an increase in the ex-gratia grant for disabled soldiers from both the military and paramilitary forces. Disabled soldiers, with disability percentages ranging from 76 to 100 per cent will now receive an ex-gratia grant of Rs 40 lakh; while those with 51 to 75 per cent disability will be entitled to Rs 20 lakh; and soldiers with 25 to 50 per cent disability will receive Rs 10 lakh.

Enhances Financial Assistance under East Punjab War Awards Act

The Cabinet also gave its approval for amendments to the East Punjab War Awards Act, 1948, which will raise the financial assistance provided to 83 beneficiaries from Rs 10,000 per annum to Rs 20,000 per annum. This act is designed to offer financial support to parents whose children served in the Indian Army during the Second World War, National Emergency 1962, and 1971. The revisions are expected to benefit 83 beneficiaries currently availing of these benefits.

To Create State-Cadre of Patwaris, Kanungos

Additionally, the Cabinet approved a proposal to create a state cadre for 'patwaris' and 'kanungos,' revenue officials, aimed at streamlining the operations of the revenue department in the state. This move is expected to enhance efficiency and transparency within the department, benefiting both government officials and the public at large.