Apart from the devastation wreaked by Hudhud cyclone in Visakhapatam city and north Andhra districts, the Andhra Pradesh government is worried about impact on revenue accruals for the next couple of months.
Visakhapantam is the major source of commercial tax revenue but some industries which incurred losses due to the very severe cyclone written to the government seeking more time to file their tax returns to the tune of Rs.150 crore.
VAT revenueYet another worry is the VAT revenue on petroleum products in Visakhapatnam will be close to Rs. 600 crore and if the petroleum companies too seek more time, it will significantly impact next month’s revenues and expenditure.
On the proposal to impose green cess to improve tree cover in Visakhapatnam where greenery took a massive hit and other districts across the State, sources said that instead of imposing yet another cess, NREGS funds could be utilised for afforestation.
Amount releasedAbout Rs.5,500 crore had been released to the State under NREGS and part of it could be utilised for tree plantation and it would also fit in the NREGS guidelines, the sources added.