IMPHAL, July 6: “Tax collection in the State has improved significantly with the introduction of 6 e -services. Tax collection has also almost doubled from the previous year” said the Chief Minister of Manipur, O. Ibobi Singh in the Assembly on July 6 while replying to a motion for disapproval for policy cut moved by Andro A/C MLA, Th. Shyamkumar and Keishamthong A/C MLA, L Ibomcha Singh.
According to a release of the DIPR, the Chief Minister further informed the House that with all-out efforts of the Taxation Department and introduction of MMCT (Miss on Mode Collection of Taxes), taxes have been collected in the State without leakage.
With this introduction difficulties and time consumption in getting the Form 6 for paying the taxes also reduced drastically and tax can easily be paid on line. The department managed to collect Rs. 395 crore and Rs. 433.49 In 2013-14, 2014-15 respectively as taxes.
Leakages in the tax : collection has almost checked and reduced drastically. Physical check is also done through flying squad from time to time said the Chief Minister.
He further informed the House that prohibition on sale of liquor has been in force since April 1, 1991 for almost 24 years.
Under the cover of prohibition of liquor only a few black marketers are getting the benefit mainly those who import spurious liquor from Khatkhati, Assam, he continued.
On the contrary, Manipur is not achieving any of the goals for declaring a dry state, he continued.
All these factors hampered the collection of tax and is a huge loss to the state exchequer. Once the prohibition is lifted, Rs.300-500 crore could be generated as revenue annually, he continued.
The people should not only think for the revenue generation but have to make concern for the society and also find a viable way either to lift the prohibition or not after discussing with the NGOs, Civil Societies and other community leaders. Before taking any concrete action discussion is needed in an appropriate forum with all the leaders which is mutually beneficial to find out the merits and dements before lifting the prohibition on the sale of liquor, the CM informed.