The Hindu : Record tax collection

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 18, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala

Record tax collection

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 17. The Finance Minister, K. Sankaranarayanan, told the Assembly on Wednesday that the tax collection had increased by 33.72 per cent during the first three months of this financial year compared to the corresponding months last year.

Replying to a debate on the Finance Bill, 2002, the Minister claimed that this was an all time record. The maximum increase recorded in the past was 26 per cent.

Refuting Opposition criticism about laxity in tax collection, he said there had been no let up in tax efforts. The target for the year has been fixed at Rs. 3,600 crores.

He said there was no reduction in revenues from the sale of liquor either. The increase in this sector was 28 per cent.

He said the Government proposed to do away with the system of clearance of payments against bills, cheques and other instruments by the Finance Department. Instead, monthly ceilings would be fixed from August onwards.

Tribal Sub Plan: He said the money under the Tribal Sub Plan which was transferred back to the Government from local self- governments could not be spent because of certain circumstances including the strike by Government employees. However, there was no misuse of funds kept in the hands of officials as drafts and cash as alleged by the Opposition.

He said the Government was examining whether the Kudumbasre programme could be extended to the above poverty line (APL) families also.

After the Minister's reply, the House referred the Bill to the Subject Committee.

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Record tax collection