Single window taxation system to check revenue leakage: pul

Itanagar, Mar 18 (UNI) The Arunachal Pradesh Assembly has unanimously approved the Arunachal Pradesh Goods Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2007, to introduce a single widow taxation system for making the system hassle -free and checking revenue leakage.

Explaining the details of the Bill, Finance, Tax and Excise Minister Kalikho Pul yesterday pointed out that the Amendment would introduce tax deduction at source (TDS) and tax on liquor at first point to mobilise resources.

The value added tax (VAT), which replaced sales tax (ST) in 2005, was an attempt to introduce uniform tax throughout the country, benefit the respective states and protect their traders, he said.

Moreover, a common check gate with computer facility to be manned by staff of agricultural marketing unit, forest, mining and tax and excise departments would be set up soon to improve tax collection, reduce administrative expenditure and check tax evasion, he stated.

The people of Arunachal were paying ST much before its introduction in 2003 with all benefits accruing to Assam, the Finance Minister said, adding ST and later VAT had been beneficial for the state.

The department had earned the highest revenue of Rs 55.5 crore against a target of Rs 40 crore this fiscal, he informed.

Earlier, two amendments were effected to exempt life saving drugs from the purview of VAT and exempting entry tax on two and three-wheeler vehicles and four-wheelers for personal purchase.

However, this amendment would remove the multiple taxation system for above category suppliers and liquor, while the prevailing system would continue for other categories, he clarified.

Taking part in the discussion, Chief Minister Gegong Apang appreciated the department for its efforts and called for more vigil to check tax evasion. Suspension of corrupt officers was not the only solution as concerted efforts alone could help achieve the goal, he added.

Later welcoming the private member's resolution proposing introduction of professional tax on group 'A', 'B' and above officers, property tax in urban areas and entertainment tax moved by BJP's Balo Raja, he said time was not ripe as tax was imposed on the people only in 2003.

When people were opposing marginally higher civic charges, the move would be too harsh, the Finance Minister said.

Support came from the most unexpected quarter with Opposition leader Kameng Dolo strongly opposing his member's resolution, saying it would go against the people as well the government.

Supporting Mr Pul's version, Chief Minister Gegong Apang said merits and demerits have to be considered taking such examples of other NE states for any decision.

UNI