DEHRADUN: In a public outreach event, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami honoured winners of the Bill Lao Inam Pao scheme and highlighted the state’s efforts to strengthen revenue transparency and public participation. The programme was held in the city at the Mukhya Sevak Sadan where the Chief Minister presented prizes to consumers who took part in the scheme between September 1, 2022 and March 31, 2024. The scheme recorded strong participation and rewarded 1888 winners across several prize categories.
Our correspondent reports that the Chief Minister congratulated all winners and said that the scheme represents a major step towards encouraging transparent trade practices. He said that every bill collected under the scheme contributes to a fairer and more accountable system of revenue management. He added that the scheme reflects the state government’s effort to connect people directly with the process of revenue collection and to promote a culture of honesty and shared responsibility.
The Chief Minister said that the Bill Lao Inam Pao scheme has created a new understanding among consumers that every invoice supports the development of the state. He said that the initiative has helped people realise that responsible transactions strengthen public finances. He added that over the last three years the scheme has succeeded in generating consumer awareness and encouraging cooperative behaviour between customers and traders.
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The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister the last eleven years have brought new confidence to the sectors of trade, enterprise and creativity. He said that the double engine government has worked to give traders protection, encouragement and stability. He added that Uttarakhand is strengthening its business environment through the Ease of Doing Business system and the Business Reform Action Plan. He said that these reforms aim to improve investment conditions and support entrepreneurship.
During the programme the Chief Minister spoke about the importance of fiscal discipline. He said that the state has managed to keep the fiscal deficit within prescribed limits. He added that this achievement has been recognised at the national level. He said that the Arun Jaitley National Institute of Financial Management recently ranked Uttarakhand among the best states in financial management. He also said that Uttarakhand has secured the top position in the national index of Sustainable Development Goals.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister stressed the value of public trust and transparency in governance. He said that when people trust the government and the government works transparently the pace of development increases. He urged citizens to ask for a bill with every purchase so that transactions remain transparent and the revenue system remains strong. He said that public participation in such initiatives benefits the entire state.
The programme also included an address by senior officials. Principal Secretary R K Sudhanshu said that the scheme saw participation from 90000 consumers who submitted 6.5 lakh bills worth 270 crore rupees. He added that the high level of participation shows that people understand the importance of responsible transactions. He said that the scheme will continue to inspire consumers to follow transparent practices.
Commissioner Tax Sonika said that a total of 1888 people received prizes under the scheme. She said that monthly prizes were also awarded for seventeen months, with 1500 winners selected every month. She added that the scheme has improved engagement with consumers and helped departments promote digital and documented transactions. Officials said that the initiative has also strengthened the system of tax compliance in the state.
The prize distribution included a wide range of awards. Consumers won two electric cars, sixteen Maruti Alto K ten cars, twenty electric scooters, fifty motorcycles, one hundred laptops, two hundred smart televisions, five hundred tablets and one thousand microwaves. Officials said that the prize structure motivated people to participate and supported the larger goal of creating awareness among consumers.
Several public representatives and officials attended the programme. Those present included MLA Sarita Kapoor, Principal Secretary R K Sudhanshu, Commissioner Tax Sonika, Additional Commissioner Anil Singh and other senior officers. They said that the scheme marks an important step in promoting financial discipline and supporting the transparent development of the state.
Darpita covers business, industry, startups, and economic developments with a focus on Uttarakhand’s emerging markets. She writes on MSME growth, taxation, government policies, and the state’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Known for simplifying complex financial topics, she aims to make business news accessible and relevant to local readers.
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