Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 24 : Asserting that J&K has registered three-fold increase in tax collection during the last five and a half years, Minister For Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today said the tax revenue has touched a high of over Rs 7000 cr during current fiscal against Rs 2600 cr in 2008- 2009 when the present Government took over. He said J&K has been acclaimed by the highest institutions at national level including Planning Commission of India (PCI), Finance Commission (FC), Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers , Principal Accountant General and the Union Ministry of Finance for achieving this landmark and unprecedented tax growth, which is highest in the whole country. The many-fold increase in tax revenue has considerably helped to accelerate the tempo of development in the State, said Mr. Rather.
Mr Rather said that Commercial Taxes Department is the major revenue earning department which plays a pivotal role in the economic scenario of the State. He said compliance to the performance indicators has been made mandatory for the officers and field agencies of the CTD that has greatly helped in ensuring accountability and tangible improvement in its overall functioning.
He said at each quarterly review meeting, the concerned Deputy Commissioners and Commercial Taxes Officers (CTOs) are supposed to show their achievement against each performance indicator which inter- alia becomes basis for his APRs , promotions and postings.
Earlier, taking circle-wise review of the performance of CTOs, the Finance Minister enjoined upon them to conduct extensive inspections of business establishments under their jurisdictions, adding that it will greatly help to enhance tax compliance among the traders besides improving impact of the department and revenue earnings. He also called for a vigorous drive to recover tax arrears stressing that stern action is needed against wilful defaulters and tax evaders without any favour.
While urging for a strict monitoring mechanism to check pilferage in tax collection system, the Finance Minister asked the CTOs not only to accomplish their assigned targets but try to surpass these. He asked them to pursue stay cases vigorously in various courts so that blocked outstanding tax money is recovered in the larger interests of the State.
Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi in his welcome remarks reiterated commitment of the CTD to realize the assigned revenue target of Rs 1515.60 cr during the current fiscal.
The meeting among other concerned officers of the CTD, was also attended by Special Secretary, Finance, Shakeel Ahmad, Additional Commissioner, CTO, Kashmir, Shamim Ahmad Wani, Deputy Commissioners of CTO, Vigilance, Recoveries, Audit and Inspections Wings and CTOs of all circles of Kashmir Division.
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