Bhagwant Mann's cabinet approves several decisions to boost business, including a one-time settlement scheme.:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann chaired a cabinet meeting on Wednesday (September 24) and took several decisions to accelerate the economy's growth and boost business.

A spokesperson for the Chief Minister's Office stated that the Cabinet also approved the Punjab One-Time Settlement Scheme 2025 (OTS) to reduce the backlog of pending cases and promote compliance by industry and businesses. The scheme will be effective October 1, 2025, and will remain in effect until December 12, 2025.

Taxpayers who have been assessed till September 30, 2025 and all corrections/amendments of whose assessment orders have been passed by the department till September 30, 2025 under the relevant Acts such as Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948, Central Sales Tax Act, 1956, Punjab Infrastructure Development and Regulation Act, 2002, Punjab VAT Act, 2005, Punjab Entertainment Duty Act, 1955 and Punjab Entertainment Tax on Cinema Shows Act, 1954 will be eligible to apply for settlement under this scheme.

Under the OTS scheme, cases with tax amounts up to ₹1 crore will receive a 100% waiver of interest, a 100% waiver of penalty, and a 50% waiver of tax. For tax amounts between ₹1 crore and ₹25 crore, 100% waiver of interest and penalty, and a 25% waiver of tax will be provided. For tax amounts exceeding ₹25 crore, 100% waiver of interest and penalty, and a 10% waiver of tax will be provided.

OTS approved for rice mill owners

The Cabinet also approved the One-Time Settlement (OTS) 2025 for rice mills, as each miller is required to clear their account with the state procurement agency after the completion of the milling season to be considered for the allocation of paddy for custom milling the following year. Many millers failed to deposit their dues, leading to them being declared defaulters and legal action being initiated against them. These proceedings had been pending in various courts/legal forums for the past several years.

This new OTS scheme has been introduced to minimize the burden on all agencies and ensure the resolution of cases under this policy, thereby reactivating such "disorganized" rice mills and creating more employment opportunities in the state. This will ensure faster and smoother procurement of paddy in the mandis during the procurement season, benefiting farmers.

Amendment to the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995 approved

The Cabinet also approved amendments to sections 5(1), 5(3)(2) and 5(8) of the Punjab Apartment and Property Regulation Act, 1995. This will ensure proper and planned development of colonies/areas, thereby reducing problems faced by the public.

Amendments to the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment Bill) 2025 approved

The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment Bill), 2025, to facilitate taxpayers and ensure tax compliance. It is noteworthy that the Finance Act, 2025, amended the provisions of the Central Goods and Services Act, 2017, in accordance with the recommendation of the GST Council. Similar amendments are also to be made to the Punjab Goods and Services Act, 2017.

Green signal given to set up NIA court

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a Special Court in SAS Nagar, Mohali, to avoid delays in the trial of NIA cases. A post at the level of District and Sessions Judge/Senior District and Sessions Judge will be created in Mohali to constitute an Executive Special Court for the trial of cases under Section 22 of the NIA Act. In addition to the NIA, this court will also have jurisdiction to hear ED, CBI, and other special cases.

Recommendation to prosecute Dharamsot

The Cabinet gave its nod to the recommendation for prosecution of former Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot under Section 197(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code (Section 218 of the BNSS 2023) and Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Section 197 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which will be sent to the Governor of Punjab.