| Date: |
13-01-2015 |
| Subject: |
Customs duty falls as mines close |
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BHUBANESWAR: With mining activities coming to a standstill in the wake of a mega scam, customs duty collection in the state nosedived by around Rs 953 crore in the first three quarters of 2014-15 (till December) compared to the corresponding period last fiscal year.
Addressing a news conference here on Monday, chief commissioner (central excise, customs and service tax), Bhubaneswar zone, S K Panda attributed the sharp fall in the indirect tax levied on imported/exported goods to drop in iron ore exports.
"The main reason for the negative growth rate of 41.31% is closure of mines. The shortfall on account of exports alone is Rs 700 crore. It affected the total revenue collection," he said.
The customs duty collection between April 2014 and December 2014 was Rs 1353.76 crore compared to Rs 2306.81 crore during the corresponding period previous year. Panda said the situation may improve next financial year if mining activities resume.
He said coastal patrolling has been strengthened with four dedicated boats to intercept any smuggling and check evasion of customs duty. A separate commissionerate of customs was established in Bhubaneswar recently, keeping an eye on anticipated increased workload for customs following expansion of ports.
Panda said the total volume of indirect taxes (excise, customs and service tax) till December rose by 4.67%. It was Rs 5900.98 crore compared to Rs 5637.33 during the corresponding period last financial year.
Service tax grew by 11% from Rs 1,220.52 crore to Rs 1,350.25 crore, while central excise increased by 51.52% from Rs 2,110 crore to Rs 3,196.97 crore.
The chief commissioner said the growth of service tax is also below expectation. "We feel many assesses were not paying the service tax. We are strengthening the mechanism to check evasion," he said.
"Rourkela Steel Plant, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and Nalco contributed to the sharp rise in central excise," he said.
Panda said the Bhubaneswar zone detected 28 indirect tax evasion cases, amounting to Rs 368.17 crore. They include Rs 14 crore by a paan masala/tobacco manufacturer in Berhampur.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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