Chandigarh, Mar 17 (PTI) The Haryana government will implement the One Time Settlement Scheme (OTS) from next week for the convenience of taxpayers, Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Monday.

Under this scheme, small taxpayers whose dues are less than Rs 1 lakh will have their tax, interest, and penalty completely waived, he said.

Taxpayers with dues between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 10 lakh will receive a 60 per cent waiver on their interest, penalty, and tax amount.

This scheme will provide relief to 1.50 lakh small traders, Saini, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said while presenting State Budget 2025-26 in the state assembly here.

Those whose dues are between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 10 crore will receive a 50 per cent waiver on interest, penalty, and tax. Overall, about 2 lakh small and medium traders will benefit from this initiative, he said.

Saini said that it is a matter of pride that Haryana has the second highest growth rate among the big states of the country in GST tax collection.

As against the revenue target of Rs 63,348 crore for the financial year 2024-25, Rs 58,693 crore has been deposited in the treasury as net revenue income till March 12, 2025.

The Chief Minister said at present, there is no limit on the Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) to issue demand in tax matters. From 1 April 2025, in cases where the tax demand is more than Rs. 2 crore, the Deputy Excise and Taxation Officer (DETC) will now be authorized to issue the notice instead of the ETO.

To increase transparency, Saini proposed to install CCTV cameras in every Excise and Taxation Office and DETC office room of the Excise and Taxation Department. PTI SUN MR MR

One Time Settlement scheme offers graded waivers of tax, interest and penalty to small and medium taxpayers. The State will implement a One Time Settlement scheme granting complete waiver of tax, interest and penalty for the smallest arrears category, substantial waiver for intermediate dues, and reduced waiver for larger outstanding liabilities; the initiative aims to provide relief to small and medium traders and improve collections. Concurrent administrative changes delegate authority to issue high-value tax demands to the Deputy Excise and Taxation Officer from 1 April 2025 and mandate CCTV installation in Excise and Taxation offices to increase transparency.