CAG glare on Odisha for revenue loss worth Rs 11,665 crore in FY15

The national auditor has extrapolated the revenue loss figure through test check in 1,78,420 cases on tax segments

The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG) has lashed out at the Odisha government for revenue loss worth Rs 11,665.85 crore in 2014-15.

The national auditor in its latest report in revenue sector for the year ended on March 2015 has ascribed the loss to short levy and under assessment of revenue.

The auditor has extrapolated the revenue loss figure through test check in 1,78,420 cases on tax segments such as sales tax, entry tax, professional tax, motor vehicles tax, stamp duty & registration fees, state excise duty and mining receipts.

"During the year (2014-15), the departments concerned accepted under assessment and other deficiencies of Rs 144.95 crore involved in 1,21,514 cases which were pointed out in audit. Similarly, test check records of 142 units under commercial taxes, excise, revenue & disaster management, transport and steel & mines departments showed irregular expenditure/payment amounting to Rs 571.49 crore in 263 cases," CAG said in it's report.

In 2014-15, the state government raised Rs 27,899.16 crore revenue which was 48.95% of the total revenue receipts. The balance Rs 29,098.72 crore of the receipts were from the Indian government.

During the period under review, value added tax (VAT) and central sales tax (CST) rose by 10.22% and 9.23% respectively due to increase in business activities in the industry sector and vigorous collection drive by the department.