A huge loss of Rs 1,066.28 crore has been found in aggregate to the State exchequer in 51,182 cases in a year due to under assessment, short levy or loss of revenue.This was revealed through test check of records of tax and non-tax receipts, observed in the revenue sector and economic sector report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India for the Government of Odisha.
While addressing a Press conference on Sunday at AG Office, Accountant General Bibhudutta Basantia said that the assessing authority failed to apply appropriate provision of the Odisha Value Added Tax Act which resulted in short levy of penalty worth Rs 446.74 lakh.
Similarly, no action was initiated for levy of penalty of Rs 6.80 crore against the dealers who had not submitted the certified annual audited accounts (CAAA).
Excise duty and fine of Rs 23.25 crore in year 2016-17 from 245 licensees and Rs 2.45 crore in 2017-18 from 38 licensees were not assessed. Penalty of Rs 15 lakh for short supply of country spirit was not levied on one supplier for the year 2017-18, while establishment cost of Rs 19.28 lakh in year 2016-17 and 2017-18 was not realised from two distilleries. And, Excise duty of Rs 1.81 crore was short levied towards short lifting of country spirit against the minimum guaranteed quantity fixed.
Motor Vehicles Tax and additional tax of Rs 13.29 crore and penalty of Rs 26.58 crore were not realised from registered owners of 14,039 goods carriages and contract carriages, the AG said.
Interestingly, royalty worth Rs 124.26 crore was short levied and contribution towards National Mineral Exploration Trust of Rs 2.49 crore and contribution towards District Mineral Foundation Fund of Rs 37.28 crore on sized coal was short realised.