AP targets Rs 20850 crore CT collection in 2007-08

Hyderabad, Mar 16(UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy today directed the Commercial Taxes department to increase revenue collection to Rs 16,300 crore by this fiscal and to Rs 20850 crore in next fiscal.

Reviewing the performance of the department along with Finance Minister K Rosaiah, he said there was evasion in the petroleum sector and asked the officials to strengthen and modernise the check posts on the border.

While the growth in commodities coming under the Value-added Taxes regime was 30 per cent, the petroleum sector growth was only 18 per cent, according to an official press release.

The loss was attributed to cut in petrol and diesel prices by the Centre as well as the State Government. The reduction in the tax rate on LPG from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent was also responsible for the reduced growth in the petroleum sector, the release said.

He said the Department had collected a revenue of 14,314 crore till February 2007, registering 26.2 per cent growth.

Dr Reddy, who also reviewed the functioning of Excise and Stamps and Registeration departments, directed officials to take effective steps to prevent illegal transport and sale of liquor across the state's borders and conduct raids on illegal sale of liquor.

UNI