Revenue collection in HP increases: Rao

Shimla, Nov 4 (UNI) After VAT implementation revenue collection in Himachal Pradesh has recorded a 32 per cent increase this year as compared to last year, State Excise and Taxation Minister Rangila Ram Rao today said.

''Himachal has collected Rs 397 crore revenue up to September this year as against Rs 301 during the last financial year,'' he said while addressing the meeting of Finance, Excise and Taxation Ministers, Secretaries and Commissioners of sales tax, VAT at New Delhi today.

Mr Rao said the Himachal Government has suggested to the Centre's Empowered Committee to prepare model VAT rules.

Referring to availability of C forms in the state, he said their utilisation had recorded an increase and there was no scarcity of these forms.

He said the registered dealers in the state had increased to 42,135 between April 1 to September 30 this year, recording an increase of 21.33 per cent as compared to last financial year.

The state government has also urged the Empowered Committee to adequately compensate the state for the current accumulative year- wise losses on account of CST phasing out, Mr Rao said.

He also sought the Committee's permission to impose generation duty on hydel production that would help the state in earning a sum of Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 crore per year.

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