CM reiterates commitment to make youth an active partner in socio-economic progress of state

Mesmerises audience by reciting Sant Ram Udasi’s poem in youth festival at PAU

Says youth festivals play pivotal role in comprehensive development of youth

Exhorts youth to stay grounded even after success

Ludhiana, December 1:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the state government is making untiring efforts for making youth an active partners in socio-economic growth of the state.

The Chief Minister, while addressing the gathering during inter zonal youth festival at PAU, said that these youngsters possess inherent qualities to excel in every field and their capabilities must be utilized properly. He said that the students and youth are like planes and the state government will provide them a launchpad to go ahead in life. Bhagwant Singh Mann unequivocally said that he won’t rest until the students of Punjab don’t achieve their desired goals.

The Chief Minister asserted that every effort is being made to give wings to the ideas of youth and no stone is being left unturned for this noble cause. Bhagwant Singh Mann made a fervent appeal to youth to make all out efforts for carving an identity of their own to make a place in society adding that sky's the limit for them. He urged the youth not to feel proud of their victory but to stay humble and work hard for more success.

The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride for him to be here as he is a produce of such youth festivals. Recalling his college days, he said that the youth festivals act as a platform for grooming the overall personality of the youth. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that these youth festivals have helped him to excel in life as an artist and now as a politician.

The Chief Minister said that the youth must use these platforms for their comprehensive growth and development. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he performed in various youth fest and won trophies for his college adding that winning was his only passion and he always had a positive mindset of winning.

The Chief Minister called upon the youth to perform their best as it is only the performance that matters ultimately. Bhagwant Singh Mann exhorted the youth to stay grounded even after win and believe in hard work as it is the sole key to success. He said that these youth festivals provide a platform to become successful and a fine human being.

The Chief Minister said that his father was a science teacher and wanted him to excel in academics. However, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he was passionate about art and culture which ultimately led to his stupendous success in this field. He asked the youth to value old relations, friends, teachers and others, who have helped them to excel, after attaining success.

Exhorting the youth to play a proactive role and support the state government to make Punjab a frontrunner state across the globe, the Chief Minister said that the youth of the state have been blessed with unbounded energy and talent that had always acted as a catalyst in bringing positive change in the society. He said that the time has come when the youth must contribute positively in socio-economic development of the state and the society. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the state government is committed for the well being and progress of the state adding that no stone will be left unturned for this noble cause.

The Chief Minister said that his predecessors never attended such events as they were not bothered about the welfare of the youth. However, he said that his government is according top priority for the holistic development of youth for which he is attending such events without any miss. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that no stone is being left unturned for the welfare of youth and there is no dearth of funds for it.

Meanwhile, on the demand of students, the Chief Minister, accompanied by his college mate and artist Karamjit Anmol, mesmerised the audience by reciting the poem “Maghda Rahin Ve Surja Kammian De Vehre” penned by noted Punjabi poet Sant Ram Udaasi from the stage. He said that this revolutionary poem is very close to his heart as they used to recite it in various competitions during their college days and today he has revisited his college days. Bhagwant Singh Mann, who recited the poem from the stage for two minutes, in a first of its kind act kept the audience spellbound with his enthralling performance. Meanwhile the students, teachers and others present on the occasion gave a huge round of applause to the Chief Minister for his rare feet.

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Punjab Registers 62.93 percent increase in Net GST in November: Harpal Singh Cheema

Registers a growth of 10.30 percent in net GST upto November as compared to FY 2023-24

Excise also gained impressive growth of 13.17 percent upto the November 2024

Net Collection from GST, Excise, VAT, CST and PSDT upto November reflects 10.05 percent growth

Chandigarh, December 1-Punjab Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema announced on Sunday that the state has witnessed an impressive growth rate of 62.93 percent in net GST collection during November 2024 compared to November 2023. Additionally, the total net GST collection up to November this financial year reflects an increase of 10.30 percent compared to the same period of the financial year 2023-24.

Disclosing this in a press communique, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema revealed that the net GST collection for November this year amounted to ₹2,477.37 crore, up from ₹1,520.55 crore in November 2023, marking an increase of ₹956.82 crore. He further said that the total net GST collection up to November in this financial year is ₹15,392.79 crore, compared to ₹13,955.38 crore during the same period of FY 2023-24, reflecting an increase of ₹1,437.41 crore.

Elaborating further, Minister Cheema highlighted that the total net collection from VAT, CST, GST, PSDT, and Excise in November this year is ₹4,004.96 crore, while it was ₹3,026.86 crore in November 2023. The net collection up to November has increased by ₹2,509.09 crore, with the total amounting to ₹27,481.57 crore in FY 2024-25, compared to ₹24,972.48 crore in FY 2023-24.

Minister Cheema also announced a significant increase in Excise revenue, with a 6.42 percent growth in November 2024 and an impressive 13.17 percent increase up to the month of November. The total Excise collection for November this year is ₹795.37 crore, compared to ₹747.37 crore in November 2023. The state has earned ₹783.63 crore more in this financial year, with total Excise revenue up to November amounting to ₹6,733.47 crore, compared to ₹5,949.84 crore during the same period of FY 2023-24.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema credited the growth in GST and Excise collections to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government's efforts to improve tax compliance and enforcement. He expressed confidence that the state will continue witnessing significant tax collection growth in the coming months.