In a reprieve to the business community especially the small and medium businessmen to sail through these trying times amid Covid-19, the Punjab Cabinet on Monday approved the ‘Punjab One Time Settlement Scheme for Recovery of Outstanding Dues-2021’ to clear and settle their pending arrears.
With implementation of OTS, the state exchequer would bear a financial burden of Rs 121.06 crore.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the scheme would be implemented from February 1, 2021 across the state under which all the dealers whose assessments have been framed upto December 31, 2020 could apply under the scheme till April 30, 2021. The dealer can even submit additional statutory forms like C-forms which were not produced at the time of assessment, with the application form and will have to make the self-assessment and submit the proof of payment net tax payable as the result of settlement. The concerned Ward in-charge would issue an order of settlement which would not be reopened in any proceeding by way of review or revision.
It may be recalled that Covid-19 has resulted in unprecedented situation for all sections of the society. Business community, especially the small dealers have suffered a lot due to lockdown and subsequent decline in the business activity.
Various trade associations raised a concern that they are facing difficulties in procuring statutory forms prescribed under the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956 for availing concessional/nil rate of tax on interstate transactions. They also urged the state government for settling their outstanding dues by introduction of One Time Settlement Scheme for the clearance and settlement of outstanding arrears under Punjab Value Added tax Act, 2005 and Central Sales tax Act, 1956.
RESTRUCTURING OF INFORMATION & PUBLIC RELATIONS DEPARTMENT WITH A THRUST ON RIGHT-SIZING TO ENHANCE ITS EFFICIENCY
To bring far more efficiency in the functioning of the Information & Public Relations department in the changed scenario, the Punjab Cabinet led by Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday gave approval to its restructuring plan.
A spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that the department prepared a comprehensive proposal to right-size its manpower to cater to the changing requirements and to introduce a degree of flexibility in engaging manpower with fast changing skill sets by bringing in a component of outsourced manpower. Certain traditional posts are proposed to be abolished in favour of new posts which would help the department in improving its overall efficiency and response. The desired pyramidical structure in hierarchy has also been adequately taken care of.
It may be recalled that the Information & Public Relations department is actively engaged in the dissemination of policies and achievements of the state government. Earlier, the department used traditional methods such as exhibitions, song & drama, cinema, etc. to percolate the message at the grassroots level. With the passage of time, print journals and electronic mediums like TV and radio became more significant. Of late, social media has emerged as a potent medium of communication. However, the sanctioned strength of the department continues to have provisions to engage persons for the traditional modes of communications rather than the emerging ones.
APPROVES ACQUISITION & CONSERVATION OF MUBARIK MANZIL PALACE AT MALERKOTLA
In a bid to preserve the glorious heritage of the state, the Cabinet gave approval for acquisition, conservation and use of Mubarik Manzil Palace, Malerkotla in district Sangrur.
To facilitate the acquisition of the Mubarik Manzil Palace, the state government will provide Rs.3 crore to Begum Munawwar-ul-Nisa, the owner of the property as consideration to her for transferring property with all its rights to the state government. The Chief Minister said that this decision would be instrumental in preserving the rich legacy of the state and to reconnect younger generations with our glorious past.
According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, the expected financial liability as on today involved in purchase of this proposed protected monument and likely financial implications arising out of existing court cases is around Rs.5 crore. The rate of the land has been evaluated from Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur and the evaluation of the property has also been done by the Tourism & Cultural Affairs department through its Conservation Architect and Chief General Manager-cum-Chief Engineer.
APPROVAL TO AMEND POLICY OF APPOINTMENTS OF HONOUR & GRATITUDE TO THE WAR HEROES OR THEIR DEPENDENTS
The Punjab Cabinet gave nod to amend the policy of “Appointments of Honour & Gratitude to the War Heroes or their Dependents” with a view to mitigate the problems being faced by dependents of martyred/disabled soldiers in getting the jobs in line with the existing policy. Notably, the said policy was notified on August 19, 1999 to enable the state government to provide a government job to one dependent family member of martyr/disabled soldier in recognition of their supreme sacrifice.
A spokesperson said that with the passage of time urgent need was felt to amend the said policy in view of the hardships being faced by dependents.
The amendments in the policy will now allow the family of a martyr to reserve the job for a minor child in case the widow of the soldier does not wish to take up the job herself. Another provision has been inserted whereby widows of martyrs, who had been constrained to take up Group D posts due to extreme financial hardship, would be allowed to take a fresh Group C appointment provided they had upgraded their educational qualifications accordingly.
These amendments, along with certain others, would pave the way for the next of kin to avail the benefits being provided to them in recognition of the valour and bravery shown by the martyr.
