State GST/VAT Officers invited to spread awareness about OTS, 2025 by Punjab Taxation Bar Association 

Ludhiana, October 06, 2025: The Punjab Taxation Bar Association recently hosted a seminar focused on important government initiatives aimed at improving tax compliance and revenue collection in the state. The event was honoured by the presence of Shinee Singh, Assistant Commissioner State Tax, Ludhiana-3 who was invited as a guest speaker. The seminar was mainly focused on Punjab One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS), 2025 and GST changes under GST 2.0 for which another eminent speaker Sh. Bimal Jain, CA was also invited. 
During the seminar, the Assistant Commissioner delivered an insightful lecture on the One Time Settlement (OTS) Scheme, 2025 introduced by the Government of Punjab. The scheme offers a significant opportunity for taxpayers to settle long pending dues under different Acts i.e. Punjab General Sales Tax Act, 1948; the Central Sales Tax Act, 1956; the Punjab Infrastructure (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002; the Punjab Value Added Tax Act, 2005; The Punjab Entertainments Duty Act, 1955 and The Punjab Entertainments Duty Act, 1955 by availing benefits of this waiver scheme, thereby fostering a cooperative environment between the government and taxpayers.
The Assistant Commissioner elaborated on the benefits and procedural aspects of the OTS scheme, encouraging stakeholders to take advantage of this initiative to clear outstanding liabilities efficiently. The lecture was well received by members of the Punjab Taxation Bar Association and other participants, who appreciated the clarity and depth of the information provided. Several questions were asked from the guest speaker by the members and the answers brought more clarity on the details and objectives of the scheme. The Assistant Commissioner clarified the points related to Waiver limits as per below:-
- Up to Rs 1 crore: 100% waiver on interest and penalty, and 50% waiver on tax amount.
- Rs 1 crore to Rs 25 crore: 100% waiver on interest and penalty, and 25% waiver on tax amount.
- More than Rs 25 crore: 100% waiver on interest and penalty, and 10% waiver on tax amount.
The seminar emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing tax compliance while supporting taxpayers through transparent and taxpayer-friendly schemes. Hardeep Singh Ahuja, Assistant State Taxation Officer, who was also invited as a guest, thanked the office bearers of the Punjab Taxation Bar Association for such awareness program. He requested the Bar members to conduct such similar seminar on a regular basis.