Haryana Government is likely to face a loss of about Rs1,340 crore in revenue this year following the shifting of liquor vends from highways in the State.
Haryana Excise and Taxation Minister Kiran Chodhry on Friday held a review meeting and directed the officers to become more proactive for recovery of old arrears of Excise and Taxation department so that more revenue could be generated.
During the meeting, Haryana Excise and Taxation Commissioner Sudhir Rajpal apprised the Minister that liquor vends along national highways had been removed in the State as per the directions of the Supreme Court.
“This would impact on revenue collection. Out of the total 3,500 vends, about 1,300 such liquor vends have been removed. Contractors have been allotted places for two years under State Excise Policy. Now, they have been asked to shift their places for liquor vends,” informed Rajpal
Rajpal said that about Rs2,700 crore was collected as excise tax last year. This year, a loss of about Rs1,340 crore was expected owing to the shift of liquor vends from highways, he added.
At the meeting, Choudhry directed to set a target for top 20 cases of recoverable arrears.
While reviewing the Passenger and Goods Tax, the Minister directed the officers to increase the enforcement on transport vehicles, especially tourist buses’ tax, so that
evasion could be reduced to minimum.
Choudhry said that mining would start soon thus all the officers should prepare themselves for the same. This would generate about Rs700 crore to Rs800 crore as revenue.
The Minister also directed them to ensure that VAT was being charged on total bill amount in all outlets in the state. Choudhry directed the officers for complete ban
on illegal sale of liquor on highways.