The State Commercial Taxes (CT) Department, which is gearing up to meet this year’s revenue collection target of Rs.25,000 crore, has collected about Rs.20,250 crore till January-end.
This shows a growth rate of 8 per cent over the corresponding period of the previous year.
During 2008-2009, the collection was Rs.22,570 crore, about 13 per cent higher than in 2007-2008.
Liquor, petroleum products and automobiles are among the major contributors to the overall revenue of the department. By administering and enforcing several laws such as the Tamil Nadu Value Added Tax (TNVAT) and the Central Sales Tax (CST), it earns revenue.
The importance of the revenue earned by the CT Department can be seen from the fact that this represents nearly two-third of the State’s total tax revenue receipts. Of the total tax revenue receipts of Rs.35,949 crore in 2008-2009, the department’s collection accounted for Rs.22,570 crore.
V.K. Jeyakodi, Prinicipal Secretary and Commissioner of Commercial Taxes, attributes this to a host of reasons. Tightening of the enforcement machinery, dealer-friendly approach and increased focus on e-governance are among the factors responsible.
Of this year’s total figure of collection, the proceeds under the TNVAT account for Rs.17,490 crore against Rs.16,122 crore during April 2008-January 2009.
Giving details of various initiatives of the department, Mr. Jeyakodi says the Centre will soon be approached for obtaining funds to take up a computerisation project under mission mode. On getting the nod, it will be implemented in two years.
Considering the importance of four Chennai divisions contributing 80 per cent of the department’s overall revenue, the authorities are examining the proposal for forming one more division in Chennai to streamline the administration.
The four divisions cover Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts too.
Mr. Jeyakodi says thanks to the department’s drive on e-governance, more and more dealers are making their remittances through e-payment and filing their returns electronically.
Eighty per cent of the two lakh dealers have switched to the electronic mode. Of the department’s collection of Rs.2,092 crore in January, Rs.1,200 crore came through e-payment.
