Taking serious note of reports of illicit collection of money from business and industry, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Thursday ordered the Director General of Police to crack down against the so-called Goonda Tax in the state.The Chief Minister directed the DGP to activate all available resources to identify and take strict action against the culprits, irrespective of who they are.The issue was raised during the cabinet meeting by ministers, who urged the Chief Minister to take cognizance of reports related to Goonda Tax being charged from businesses and industries in some parts of the state. Finance Manpreet Badal said his name was being vilified in the whole process, that was adversely affecting business sentiment, which the state government was striving hard to promote.
Responding to the ministers’ concern, the Chief Minister told the DGP to initiate immediate steps to crack down on those involved in the collection of such tax, without taking into consideration their political or other affiliations.The Chief Minister asked the DGP to ensure that the message goes down the rank and file of the police force that no laxity or delay in the matter would be tolerated.Such activities hinder the government’s efforts to bring industrial and economic development back on track, and to provide a clean and transparent environment to boost industry and investment in the state, Captain Amarinder asserted.Reiterating his government’s zero-tolerance to corruption and illegal activities of all kinds, the Chief Minister also asked the Chief Secretary to monitor the work of the committee set up to check illegal mining in the state.