Chandigarh, Jun 24 (PTI) Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday conducted a surprise inspection of the head office of the excise and taxation department in Patiala.

The minister reviewed the attendance of officers and employees, scrutinised the files and assessed the general pace of work, said an official release.

Also Read | OPSC AIO Admit Card 2025 Out at opsc.gov.in: OPSC Releases Hall Ticket for Written Exam of Assistant Industries Officer Posts, Get Direct Link and Know Steps To Download.

Expressing concern over delays in the disposal of cases and files, he said, "unwarranted delays will be treated as a form of corruption".

Cheema and the excise commissioner seized several documents during the inspection and compiled a list of files that will be subject to further scrutiny and action.

Also Read | SBI PO Notification 2025: Application Process Begins for 541 Probationary Officers Posts at sbi.co.in, Know How To Apply.

The minister also evaluated the functioning of the department's e-office system, emphasising that all official work must be disposed of promptly.

"Even a day or two of unnecessary delay in official work is unacceptable," he said.

"Every officer has the right to submit a report based on facts, whether positive or negative, but intentional delay will not be tolerated," said Cheema.

The minister also summoned superintendents and other officers from various branches and checked the attendance records, particularly identifying those absent without recording their movement in the official register.

Action has been directed against officers who left their workplace without permission or due procedure, he said.

"Those who delay official work are equally responsible for corruption. We are committed to delivering a transparent, honest, and time-bound administration under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann," he said.

Cheema further said that action is already being taken against commercial vehicles -- particularly heavy vehicles -- evading goods and services tax or involved in other forms of tax fraud on highways.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)