Sonowal sets Rs 1,800 cr excise rev target for 2016-17

Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has set the excise revenue collection target at Rs 1,800 crore for 2016-17, a rise of over two fold from the last fiscal.
"The Chief Minister fixed the target for excise revenue collection for Rs 1,800 crore for the year 2016-17 as against collection of Rs 800 crore in the last fiscal," an official release said.
Sonowal reviewed the activities of the Department of Excise and steps being taken by it to increase revenue collection in the state and directed the officials to plug loopholes and stop leakages to mop up revenue mobilisation.
The Chief Minister observed there was huge scope to increase revenue from excise and directed officials to frame rules for the New Assam Excise Act at the earliest.

"Rules should be framed to plug loopholes and prevent leakages to generate revenue in a big way. Streamlining of tax collection will result in better revenue generation," he said.
Sonowal asked officials to check evasion of taxes on liquor sale and carry out vigorous enforcement drives to check any malpractices by the licensees.
"Exercise must be carried out systematically to prevent tax evasion," he added.