Punjab Taxation Department comes out with an innovative idea to encourage active participation of women in " Bill Liyao,Inaam Payo" during Karva Chauth festival
Parmod Bharti
Nawanshahr October 16 ,2024 - The Punjab Taxation Department has come out with first of its kind innovative initiative to encourage active participation of women in " Bill Liyao,Inaam Payo" drive during festival season especially " Karva Chauth".
Launching a consumer awareness campaign ahead of the Karvachauth festival, the Punjab Taxation Department has exhorted women to demand proper bills from shopkeepers, particularly at beauty parlors and salons.
The Department in a message circulated through social media platforms, while extending greetings on the pious festival of Karwachauth, has urged the women to ask for bills during shopping and visiting beauty parlours.
Interestingly , the initiative has also invited criticism in a section of media as well as social media by dubbing it as targetting beauty parlours and salons during Karwa Chauth festival.
However, the officials of Taxation Department say that the initiative aims to ensure that businesses comply with taxation laws and do not take advantage of unsuspecting customers during the festive season.
The campaign comes in response to rising concerns about tax evasion and inflated prices in these sectors.
To support the initiative, the department has introduced a user-friendly app where women can upload bills for verification and stand a chance to win rewards. By encouraging women to ask for bills, the department aims at to foster a culture of accountability and transparency in the market. Not only does proper billing protect consumers from overcharging, but it also ensures that businesses contribute fairly to the economy by paying taxes.
Financial Commissioner Taxation (FCT) Punjab, Krishan Kumar, clarified that the " Karvachauth special campaign" is not aimed at targeting beauty parlors and salons, as some have been spreading misinformation. “There is a misconception that we are singling out these businesses,” said Kumar. “In reality, our goal is to encourage women to form the habit of asking for bills and making them part of this government initiative by rewarding them with prizes. It's about empowering women and ensuring consumer protection”, he added.
The Financial Commissioner Taxation further explained that women can easily upload their bills through the department’s app, and after proper verification, lucky winners will be selected and awarded. “This initiative isn’t just about enforcing compliance; it’s about engaging women in a positive and beneficial way,” he said.