Fall in direct tax collection indicate slowdown in economy: R S Gujral

30 Sep 2011 Evaluate

The revenue collection during the second quarter of current financial year has been declined significantly, on the back of slowdown in economy. The overall advance tax collections have declined to 12% in July-September 2011 from 19% in April-June 2011. Finance and Revenue Secretary R S Gujral on September 29, flagged concerns over the dip in direct tax collection growth, saying it was indicative of a 'slowdown in the economy'.  With reference to decline in revenue collection he said, 'there has been a decline. It does indicate a certain slowdown in the economy. The government would monitor the space as we go along.

The decline in advance tax collection was expected because of weak global economic environment and nonstop hike in Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) key policy rates to control hovering inflation. Since March 2010, the RBI has increased its short term lending and borrowing rates by 12 times. On the other hand, headline inflation has remained at elevated level. Increased cost of capital because of RBI hike and elevated level of inflation have affected the pace of economic growth. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) declined to 3.5% for the month of August.

However, for the indirect tax collection, Finance and Revenue Secretary is confident of achieving number of Rs 3.92 lakh crore despite the Rs 36,000 crore hit on account of cut in excise and customs duties on petroleum products. On the issue of achieving indirect tax collection targets, he said 'you cannot disinvest without taking the timing into account. The market situation needs to be taken into account because you are disinvesting government shareholding in these companies.' 'If there is any decline from the Rs 40,000 crore which has been assessed, that would be taken care of from the other aspects that are there,' he added.

However, he indicated that the any shortfall in the revenue collection via disinvestment would not affect the planned spending of the government. On the debt crisis and uncertainties in the western economy and its impact on the India’s exports, Gujral said that the uncertainty is bound to exist for at least one year. However, he said that the country's exports would not go down in absolute terms though there may be some slowdown in percentage terms due to base effect.

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