Sonowal targets excise to mop up revenue

CM fixes target for excise revenue collection for Rs 1,800 crore

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, June 30: Chief Minister Sarbanda Sonowal today reviewed the activities of the Excise department and steps being taken by the department to increase revenue collection.

At a meeting with senior officials at Dispur on Wednesday evening, Sonowal directed the officials to plug the loopholes and stop leakages to mop up revenue mobilization.

The Chief Minister observed that there was huge scope to increase revenue from excise and directed the officials to frame rules for the New Assam Excise Act at the earliest. “Rules should be framed to plug loopholes and prevent leakages to generate revenue in a big way,” he said, adding, “Streamlining of tax collection will result in better revenue generation.”

Directing the officials ‘to leave no stone unturned in duty collection’ and to ‘check evasion of taxes on liquor sale’, Chief Minister Sonowal said, “Exercise must be carried out systematically to prevent tax evasion.”

Sonowal directed the department to carry out vigorous enforcement drives to check any malpractices by the licensees.

The Chief Minister fixed the target for excise revenue collection for Rs 1,800 crore for the year 2016-17 as against collection of Rs 800 crore in the last fiscal.