Cable TV,liquor, 4-wheelers, water to cost more in surplus budget

Mumbai, Mar 21 (UNI) Cable television, liquor, water and four-wheelers will cost more in Maharashtra with the Finance Minister Jayant Patil proposing to hike taxes to garner revenue of Rs 500 crore in 2006-07 for which he tabled the Budget in the State Legislature today.

In his seventh consecutive budget, Mr Patil's estimates for 2006-07 show a surplus of Rs 305.85 crore.

Mr Patil said a new substitute for octroi was in the offing. A study group has been appointed and options will be put up for public discussion. A solution is expected in a year.

Entertainment tax on cable television is proposed to be increased by 50 per cent and water charges for irrigation and non-irrigation use by 15 per cent.

Besides, an increase in the royalty on minor minerals from Rs 50 per brass to Rs 60 per brass is proposed. He has also proposed changes in the scheme of levy of excise in which the rate of minimum excise duty will be Rs 55 per proof litre instead of Rs 50.20 on country liquor, the rate for Indian-Made Foreign Liquor will be Rs 160 as against Rs 150 per proof litre. The new minimum excise duty on mild beer will be Rs 15 per bulk litre as against Rs 12.

Mr Patil has proposed to restrict the maximum retail price (MRP) to four times the manufacturing cost in all cases where the manufacturing cost is upto Rs 88 per litre. The MRP formula will be revised accordingly and corresponding changes will be made regarding the liquor to be supplied to canteen stores department, he added.

The rate of motor vehicles tax on privately-owned four wheelers is proposed to be increased from four per cent to seven per cent of the cost. He also proposed that goods vehicle tax should be collected at the prescribed maximum rate. Light goods vehicles will have to pay a one-time tax at the enhanced rate.

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