In a major initiative to promote transparency and consumer participation, the government is organising the Mega Draw of the Bill Lao Inam Pao Scheme today at APJ Abdul Kalam Bhawan in Dehradun, in the presence of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The event marks the culmination of one of the state’s most successful public-oriented schemes aimed at encouraging citizens to demand GST bills for every purchase.
Our correspondent reports that the Commercial Taxes Department has completed all arrangements for the draw, which will be conducted in a fully digital and transparent manner. Over 87,000 participants from across Uttarakhand have registered in the scheme, uploading 6,39,057 GST bills worth nearly ₹269.50 crore. Officials expect a large turnout as the names of winners are announced in the presence of senior officials and dignitaries.
The Mega Draw features an impressive 1,888 prizes, including two electric cars, 16 other cars, 20 electric scooters, 50 motorcycles, 100 laptops, 200 smart TVs, 500 tablets, and 1,000 microwave ovens. Each participant stands a chance to win based on the bills uploaded during the campaign period.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will address the gathering and felicitate select winners. The government has described the scheme as a model for citizen participation in good governance, blending public reward with fiscal discipline.
Our correspondent adds that the Bill Lao Inam Pao Scheme was launched on September 1, 2022, and extended until March 31, 2024, following enthusiastic public response. Monthly draws were conducted throughout the campaign, awarding small prizes such as mobile phones, smartwatches, and ear-buds to 1,500 winners every month. Today’s Mega Draw concludes this two-year-long initiative with the largest prize pool yet.
Officials from the Department of Commercial Taxes said the objective of the scheme was to strengthen the GST system by motivating consumers to insist on proper invoices from sellers. This, they added, has not only increased tax compliance but also curbed unregistered business practices.
The Mega Draw is being held under strict supervision with live streaming, third-party audit, and digital verification to ensure fairness. Winners will be required to produce original copies of their uploaded bills along with valid ID proof to claim their prizes.
Senior officers, including the Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, are present at the event. The department has also activated a public helpline for participants to check their registration details and claim procedures.
Officials noted that this scheme has helped build a culture of transparency and responsibility among consumers. They said such initiatives align with the state’s vision of “Viksit Uttarakhand” — a developed and accountable Uttarakhand that ensures citizen participation in every governance process.
Experts believe that reward-based awareness campaigns like Bill Lao Inam Pao not only promote tax discipline but also foster positive public engagement with government policies. Citizens have appreciated the initiative, calling it a creative and practical approach to strengthening the formal economy.
As the Mega Draw unfolds today, the spotlight remains on Uttarakhand’s commitment to transparency, innovation, and people-driven governance.
