In an attempt to increase tax collections, which were reported about 50 per cent less than the set target fixed for the first quarter, the AAP government has initiated a series of measures to ensure t
In an attempt to increase tax collections, which were reported about 50 per cent less than the set target fixed for the first quarter, the AAP government has initiated a series of measures to ensure tax collections meet the targeted growth in the next two quarters in the national capital. The VAT department has already issued about 17,000 notices to owners of vehicles who had entered the city without making prior declaration about the nature of goods and the dealers who were responsible for sending them.
The government is making all possible efforts to ensure that taxes collected on the goods sold are duly deposited with the VAT department.
The deputy chief minister, Manish Sisodia, who also holds the finance portfolio, has made it amply clear to his officers that they should in no way harass any shopkeeper as far as tax collections are concerned.
He has also instructed his officers to randomly carry out surveys of different market places to motivate shopkeepers to voluntarily deposit their taxes with the government agencies. Already, the government has been rewarding market associations who have deposited more taxes than their set targets.
There are indications that AAP volunteers, who are spread across the length and breadth of the city, will also be providing inputs about tax evaders to the concerned authorities. “Our volunteers will keep track on businessmen who charge VAT from customers but do not deposit the same with the government,” an AAP functionary told this newspaper.
The government’s action to mop up tax collections followed after reports suggested that the collections were about 50 per cent less than the target growth set for the first quarter.
What has surprised one and all is that the tax collections in entertainment, including cable TV, betting and luxury sectors, far exceeded the set targets.
For instance, in the luxury tax segment, the VAT collections were 54.20 per cent against the set target of 25.01 per cent till June 16.
