'Centre has not increased grant to Mumbai : Somaiaya

Mumbai, July 5 (UNI) The Centre has not increased grants to Mumbai despite the fact that the contribution through taxes had doubled in the last two years, BJP leader and former MP Kirit Somaiya said today.

Speaking to mediapersons here, he said, ''Mumbaikars have paid Rs 93,170 crore as taxes to the Government of India for the year 2006-07 and the figure is likely to cross Rs one lakh crore mark during 2007-08.'' In 2004-2005, Mumbaikars contributed Rs 50,979 crores. These include Income Tax, Corporate Tax, Excise, Service Tax and other taxes,'' he said.

The service tax collection has trippled in two years from Rs 3,979 crores to Rs 12,137 crores, he said.

However, he reiterated that the Centre had not sent 'single paisa' grant for Mumbai in the last two years.

UNI