Punjab Uncovers Rs 200 Crore Tax Evasion in Hospitality Sector; Total May Hit Rs 500 Crore

• Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced detection of Rs 200 crore tax evasion in the state's hospitality sector, with potential to reach Rs 500 crore.
• 882 establishments, including dhabas, restaurants, and sweet shops, are under scanner in a state-wide crackdown based on data analytics.
• Preliminary inquiry of 239 cases revealed Rs 50 crore turnover suppression, leading to Rs 2.54 crore tax liability; Rs 2.02 crore already recovered.
• Systemic under-reporting found across cash and hybrid payment segments; Mohali, Jalandhar, and Ludhiana are major evasion hubs.
• Investigation uses advanced data analytics, inputs from Tax Intelligence Unit (TIU) and State Investigation and Preventive Unit (SIPU), and 'Bill Liyao, Inam Pao' scheme.