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Collection of indirect taxes during September, 2004 shows a buoyancy of over 25%. The collection from Customs, Excise and Service Tax during September, 2004 was Rs. 15,132.65 crores as compared to Rs. 12,100.01 crores during September, 2003. The Customs duty stood at Rs. 5,423.85 crores as compared to Rs. 4,177.08 crores during September, 2003 showing an increase of 29.85%. The Excise duty collection was Rs. 9,032.58 crores as compared to Rs. 7,428.61 crores during September, 2003 showing an increase of 21.59%. The Service Tax collection during September was Rs. 676.22 crores as compared to Rs. 494.32 crores during September 2003 showing an increase of 36.8%.
The total revenue collection from indirect taxes during the first half of the current financial year was Rs. 74,510.45 crores as compared to Rs. 66,391.59 crores during the corresponding period last year showing an increase of 12.23%. The collection of Customs duty increased by 8.84% and amounted to Rs. 25,216.91 crores as compared to Rs. 23,167.96 crores during the corresponding period of 2003-2004. The collection of excise duty during the same period stood at Rs. 44,494.14 crores against Rs. 40,409.15 crores during the corresponding period of preceding year showing an increase of 10.11%. The collection from Service Tax during the first six months increased by 70.5% and stood at Rs. 4,799 crores as compared to Rs. 2,814 crores during the corresponding period of the preceding year.
The anti evasion and audit activities of the Central Excise Department have been strengthened with intention of augmenting the revenue realisation. The Department realised Rs. 109.64 crores from unscrupulous manufacturers who were evading excise duty and issued notices demanding duty of Rs. 1,234 crores. The major commodities which have been found to be evasion prone are automobile components and parts, iron and steel products, pan masala, gutkha, polyester yarn and bulk drugs.
During the first six months of this financial year, Customs duty amounting to Rs. 102.55 crores has been realised from the importers and show cause notices demanding duty of Rs. 645.54 crores were issued. On the anti-smuggling front, goods valued at Rs. 404.21 crores were seized during April-September, 2004. The main items seized were machinery and equipments, petroleum products, electronic goods, cigarettes, red sanders wood and sea horses. In first six months 206 persons were arrested under the Customs Act and 55 persons were detained under COFEPOSA.
In order to combat the menace of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, 5.35 kgs. of heroin, 27.7 kgs. of mandrex tablets and 255 kgs. of hashish were seized during September, 2004. The value of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances seized during the month valued Rs. 6.4 crores. The total value of narcotic drugs seized during first six months of this financial year was Rs. 46 crores. In order to preserve the foreign exchange reserves of the country Indian and foreign currency of Rs. 97 lakhs consealed within the corrugated ply of the cartons were seized.
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