Ensure there is no tax evasion, CM tells officials

Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy on Friday directed officials of various revenue-generating departments to ensure there is no tax evasion.

Speaking at a review meeting with officials of Commercial Taxes, Excise, Transport, Stamps and Registration, Mines and Geology departments, Kumaraswamy said it was essential that the revenue target set in the budget is met to ensure all the programmes announced by the government are implemented. Kumaraswamy also holds the Finance portfolio.

The Commercial Taxes department had registered a growth of 18.7% in collections between April and August, this year, compared to the same period, last fiscal. The Excise department, which was set a target of Rs 19,750 crore for 2018-19, has mobilised Rs 8,150 crore till August-end, according to an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office. The Stamps and Registration department had surpassed its target from April to August this year (Rs 4,300 crore) by Rs 22 crore.

The target for Mines and Geology department in form of royalties for the current fiscal was Rs 3,000 crore. The department had mobilised Rs 728 crore till August end.