Punjab CM calls for stringent measures to collect taxes

Chandigarh, July 26 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today asked the officers of Excise and Taxation Department to discharge their duties with professional commitment, dedication and honesty to achieve the target of 30 per cent of growth in revenue collection in the current fiscal year against the growth of just four per cent during 2006-07.

Presiding over a meeting of the officers of the Department, Mr Badal reminded the officers that the state was passing through a financial crisis and that it was the sole responsibility of the department to raise the resources for the development of the state.

Showing concern over the plight of tax collection in the state, he said that growth of Punjab 's revenue was the lowest in the country in the year 2006-07 despite tremendous potential of consumerism as compared to other states. He said states like Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi were far ahead of Punjab in tax collection.

He said there was lot of scope for sector-wise growth of tax in the state and emphasised the need for trade-wise analysis and identifying the trades not paying enough tax. He asked the officers to register maximum number of dealers by identifying those who were not already registered and bringing them in the tax net after proper verification of their account books.

He, however, said that they should not resort to the methods of undue coercion and harassment but at the same time the tax evasion must be checked. He asked the officers to effectively plug the loopholes of tax evasion and strictly adhere to VAT compliance.

He said that all the vacant posts of excise and taxation officers and inspectors would be filled in due course of time.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Excise and Taxation) Jagdish Raj Sahni said that nexus between the transporters and dealers and resistance from traders was a major bottleneck for tax collection. He said that the renowned 'dhabas' were making roaring business having a turnover ranging from Rs one crore to Rs five crore and were paying no tax.

He asked the department to persuade the 'dhaba' owners to pay tax according to their turnover.

It was informed in the meeting that McDonalds paid a tax of Rs 1.50 crore whereas all the restaurants in the state contributed just Rs 9.50 crore during 2006-07.

Earlier, Financial Commission Taxation S S Brar informed the department would soon introduce electronic filing of returns, equip modern information collection centers with Gama Scanners, modern weighing machines etc and establish of Kar Seva Centers and record rooms in each district. He also advocated for lucrative reward system for informers and recognition to officials through ''hire and fire'' system.

UNI