CM Siddaramaiah holds meeting with officials to review revenue receipts, asks them to exceed targets

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday held a meeting with officials of various departments to review revenue generation in the state in the aftermath of the implementation of the four guarantees of the Congress. The government requires Rs 32,000 crore this year to fund the guarantees.

At the meeting, the CM was apprised that liquor sales had dropped after the hike in excise duty, following which the CM directed them to take steps to increase sales. “Try to exceed the budget targets. We will hold another meeting after the second quarter and review the situation”, he suggested.

Siddaramaiah also directed the Commercial Taxes department officials to increase collection by detecting tax frauds and leakages and taking strict action. He also directed them to work towards exceeding the targets and hoped to see increase in revenue generation by the next meeting.

“The state’s share in the national revenue collection was 9.8 per cent last year, which was higher than the preceding year. The growth in tax collection is 19.2 per cent now and it should touch 24 per cent”, he directed the officials.

The CM also met officials of the Stamps and Registration, Mines and Geology and Transport department and reviewed the progress. The ministers concerned were also present at the meeting held at Vidhana Soudha.