Record tax collection in the State: Yediyurappa

Bangalore, Oct 19 (UNI) Terming former Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah's comments on State tax collection as misleading, Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediurappa today asserted that the tax collections had gone up by nearly 25 per cent between February and September this year.

Reeling out figures, Mr Yediyurappa told newsmen that the total collection increased by Rs 2172.98 crore to Rs.10,896.69 crore. This was possible due to stringent measures adopted in the collection of taxes and plugging of pilferage, he added.

He said that this indicated the sound financial health of the state and constant growth in the revenue.

He said more than Rs 2000 crore had already been distributed under four per cent interest loan scheme besides government would shortly introduce its new scheme of taking up development work to the tune of Rs 1000 crore in 1000 villages.

Stating that the buoyancy in the collections was despite the fact that the tax rate had come down due to introduction of Value Added tax and no fresh taxes imposed during the current fiscal.

He said from October 30 he would take up department wise review of developmental works, involving the concerned minister and take necessary corrective steps to ensure that budgetary allocations are spent in right direction.

UNI VK MSP TS1539