Revenue worry in poll year as PSU dividends, spectrum sale disappoint

Compared to the earlier expectation when that year's Budget was presented, the fall was worse - 33% down from the Rs 2.9 trillion estimated then

Even the truncated collection target in non-tax revenue for 2017-18 could not be met by the government. This has fuelled worry of the same fate in the current, pre-election, year.

For, there is stress in the telecom sector, rising oil import prices, a beleaguered banking sector and prospects for reduced dividends from public sector undertakings (PSUs).  

The central government collected Rs 1.93 trillion or 81.6 per cent of the (revised) target  for non-tax revenue in FY18, shows provisional data from the office of the controller general of accounts. 

Compared to the earlier expectation when that year’s Budget was presented, the