Non-tax
revenue to be thrust area
Sandesh Prabhudesai
26 February 2003
Goa
is expected to continue the trend of resource mobilisation
through non-tax revenue rather than adopting strong taxation
measures, while also trying to present zero revenue deficit
budget next month.
"There are many areas which are still not explored to
collect the non-tax revenue, without burdening the common
man with taxes", said chief minister Manohar Parrikar.
While identifying over 130 such areas in different departments,
he claims hardly 25 have been explored so far.
From mere 18 per cent resource mobilisation through non-taxation
measures in 2000-01, Parrikar's new methodology has increased
it to almost 35 per cent in 2002-03. Even the quantum has
increased from Rs 114 crore to Rs 350 crore, almost three
fold in the last three years.
"The increase is mainly due to broad basing of user
charges such as levy of a small fee on forms sold for various
purposes and introduction of a nominal service charge for
services rendered", states Parrikar.
Lauding these efforts, CRISIL, in its study, has marked Goa
as the state having highest rate of growth of non-tax revenue
in the country.
The tiny tourist state has also shown substantial rise of
over 30 per cent in overall revenue collection than the previous
year, crossing figure of Rs 1000 crore for the first time
in Goa's history.
A decade ago, in 1992-93, Goa's total revenue collection
was hardly Rs 190 crore while it rose to Rs 521 crore only
in 1998-99. After a sudden drop in the growth rate in 2000-01,
Goa is however indicating upward graph towards revenue collection.
The large amount of tax revenue in Goa is collected through
the sales tax, in spite of the fact that the industrially
backward state provide ST exemption for 10 to 15 years, to
attract industries here.
Compared to mere Rs 104 crore collected on ST, the figure
has now reached Rs 450 crore. Similarly, the state knowing
for cheap liquor has also shown rise in excise duty collection,
from Rs 19 crore to Rs 60 crore in last one decade. These
two areas contribute almost 78 per cent of the state's tax
revenue.
Regarding the zero revenue deficit budget, Parrikar however
is confident of achieving the target next year, if not this
year.
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