Punjab’s excise and taxation department has begun auctioning properties belonging to GST and VAT defaulters who have not cleared outstanding dues despite repeated notices. Hindustan Times reports that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the department successfully conducted three property auctions against tax defaulters who failed to settle liabilities even after being given opportunities to resolve the outstanding amounts. The reporting indicates the auctions are part of enforcement actions aimed at recovering pending taxes and related dues. While one outlet frames the move as Punjab starting the auction process for properties of VAT and GST defaulters, both sources describe the same underlying action—using property auctions to recover unpaid tax obligations. The information provided does not specify the number of properties auctioned beyond the three auctions already completed, nor does it detail the amounts involved or the auction results. The reporting centers on the department’s enforcement steps and the government’s stated rationale of recovering taxes from individuals or entities that remain in default.