Excise collections growth at 32.48%

The excise revenue collections in Orissa surged by 32.48 per cent during the first six months of the current fiscal, compared to the same period in the previous fiscal, bringing cheers to the state finance minister, Prafulla Chandra Ghadai, who is struggling to mobilose the required funds to finance the state plan outlay of Rs 9500 crore fixed for 2009-10.

Strong enforcement backed by a policy of filling the vaccum areas through opening of new liquor shops has helped the excise department to collect Rs 326.4 crore during the first half of the current fiscal, compared to Rs 246.37 crore collected during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

The 32.48 percent growth rate in excise collection is commendable compared to 25 percent achieved during 2008-09, sources said.

The growth rate in five districts was higher than the state average during this period.

The districts performing well in this respect are Kandhamal (65.18 percent), Puri (57.63 percent), Balasore (43.06 percent), Jajpur (39.07 percent) and Khurda (38.97 percent).

Among the organizations, Orissa State Beverages Corporation (OSBC) has contributed maximum for achieving this higher growth.

The collections paid by OSBC increased to Rs 225.36 crore during Apr-Sept. from Rs 160.21 crore in the same period last year. On the other hand, Malkangiri recorded negative growth of 2.54 percent in the collections of excise revenue during this period.

Sources said, the lifting of beer increased by 49.6 percent while lifting of India Made Foreigner Liquor (IMFL) surged by 28.73 percent. Mohua flower utilisation also increased by 21.68 percent during this period.

“The growth rate of collection of excise revenue in the first half of the current fiscal has been higher than the previous year and this year’s target is likely to be achieved”, a senior official of the state excise department said. It may be noted, the government targeted to collect Rs 800 crore from this source compared to Rs 660 crore in 2008-09.