Cheema: Punjab records revenue surge in April with 23% VAT growth

The state secured approximately ₹265 crore in combined supplementary revenue, an achievement driven entirely by enhanced monitoring mechanisms

Finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Sunday said the state has recorded a financial boost in April, driven by a double-digit surge in both value added tax (VAT) and Punjab state development tax (PSDT) collections.

The finance minister said the consistent upward trajectory in these tax domains highlights the government’s clear policy priorities. (HT File)

In a release, the minister said: “The state secured approximately ₹265 crore in combined supplementary revenue from these two sectors, an achievement driven entirely by enhanced monitoring mechanisms, stringent enforcement protocols, and a transparent tax administration framework.”

Cheema said the consistent upward trajectory in these tax domains highlights the government’s clear policy priorities.

“Our VAT collections have experienced a remarkable growth of 23.28% for the month of April 2026. This significant momentum has registered an absolute increase of approximately ₹230 crore for the state exchequer, demonstrating our sustained improvements in tax administration and compliance,” Cheema said.

“Alongside the strong performance in VAT, our PSDT collections have increased by 20.43% . This percentage translates directly into an increase of around ₹35 crore. These figures are a direct reflection of our improved monitoring and rigorous enforcement protocols within the sector,” Cheema said.