Punjab finance, planning, and excise & taxation minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Friday said the state govt has intensified its recovery drive against tax defaulters by initiating public auctions of properties belonging to "chronic VAT and GST evaders." "In a decisive move to recover long-pending dues, the excise and taxation department has carried out three major property auctions, recovering significant amounts from businesses and individuals who failed to clear liabilities despite repeated notices," the minister said.