In 3 years, tax collection shortfall Rs 8,573 crore

Himanta exposes ‘Congress legacy’

State tax machinery in urgent need of overhaul

BY OUR STAFF REPORETER

GUWAHATI, Aug 9: For three consecutive fincial years from 2012-13 to 2014-15, the previous Tarun Gogoi-led government in the State failed to meet tax collection targets. Making this revelation in the Assembly on Tuesday, State Fince minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the earlier State government fell short of its origil targets by a whopping Rs 8,573.03 crore combined in these three fiscals.    

Fielding a question raised by AGP legislator Phanibhusan Choudhury, the Fince minister stated that tax collection in 2012-13 fell short of the target by Rs 1,180.32 crore, in 2013-14 by Rs 1,730.37 crore and in 2014-15 by Rs 5,662.32 crore.

The tax collection at two major check gates - Jalukbari in Kamrup (M) and Kabaitary in Bongaigaon - decreased during this period. The amount of tax collected during 2011-12 fiscal at Jalukbari check gate was Rs 78.77 crore, while in 2015-16 it dropped to just Rs 30.08 crore. Similarly, the tax collected at Kabaitary check gate in 2011-12 was Rs 28.81 crore, while it was only Rs 8.32 crore in 2015-16 fiscal.

Sarma said that the State government has now set tax collection target of Rs 40,419.09 crore for the 2016-17 fiscal. 

The massive shortfall in tax revenues is a matter of serious concern as it will further compound the State government's problems. The Fince minister's reply shows clearly that the State's tax machinery is in need of a massive overhaul.