Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25: The Excise Department has realized a revenue of Rs 991.55 crore during the financial year 2013-14 recording an increase of Rs 75.85 crore over the preceding year’s revenue collection.
This was informed at a high level meeting chaired by Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather here today.
Commissioner Excise, Vineeta Gupta, Director Finance Showkat Aijaz, Deputy Excise Commissioner and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
The Minister took a detailed review of the functioning of various wings of the department and was apprised that maintaining the growth trends of the past few years, the department has registered a growth rate of 8.28% by realizing revenue of Rs. 991.55 crore in 2013-14 against Rs. 915.70 crore in 2012-13.
Appreciating the officers for their efforts in achieving the targets, Mr. Rather said that the department has an imperative role to play in strengthening the economy of the State and taking forward the development spree. He said that the department has shown tremendous improvement in revenue realization in the past few years and asked the officers to put in more efforts in tandem to plug loopholes, if any, in the system and to streamline the functioning of the department.
Commissioner Excise apprised the Minister that strengthening the enforcement activities of the department as many as 3497 raids were conducted and 38546 kgs of lahan was destroyed during 2013-14 adding that a penalty of Rs. 11.84 lakhs was also recovered from the offenders. It was further informed that a fine of Rs. 30.41 lakh was charged from tax evaders at Toll Post Lakhanpur, while 19560 kgs polythene bags, 660 bottles of corex and 4200 kgs of a herb nagshatri was also seized at the check post.
The meeting was further informed that in Kashmir, Bhang cultivation was destroyed over an area of 2122 kanals.
Mr Rather emphasized the need for further strengthening the enforcement wing of the department maintaining that the officers should conduct regular raids and ensure strict action so that the deterrent was maintained among the law breakers.
He said that improved infrastructural and logistic facilities at Toll Plaza Lakhanpur has been a major initiative to improve the functioning of the department and to provide better services to the stakeholders. He impressed upon the officers to redouble their efforts to eradicate menace of illicit liquor, bootlegging and cultivation of narcotic herbs.
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