SRINAGAR: Asserting that J and K State has been highly appreciated for its efficient tax management at the national level by the highest forums of the country like Planning Commission of India, Union Finance Ministry, Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers and CAG, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rehim Rather on Friday said that the tax revenue, which was just Rs. 2,683 crore in 2008-09 at the time, Coalition Government headed by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah took over, has increased three times during last financial year and is expected to touch to Rs.7,500 crore by the end of current financial. He said the non-tax revenue too has increased manifolds from Rs.837 crore in 2008-09 to Rs. 3,560 crore in 2014-15 where-as the states approved plan outlays increased from Rs. 4,500 crore in 2008-09 to whooping sum of Rs.11,300 crore in 2014-15.
Addressing an gathering of senior officers and field agencies of Excise and Commercial Taxes, Accounts and Treasuries Departments here on Friday, Rather said the land mark performance in tax revenue growth has been achieved without imposing any new taxes and despite announcing many tax exemptions and concessions through six budgets.
The function was organised to mark the release of a souvenir highlighting some path breaking initiatives taken by the present government for re-structuring of the state economy through its six budgets.
The Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Excise Commissioner, Zaffar Ahmad, Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Mirza Altaf Hussain, Director General Budgets, Dr. Ishaq Wani, Director Finance, Showkat Aijaz, Director Accounts and Treasuring, Kashmir, Mohammad Yousuf Pandit, Additional Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kashmir, Dr. Shamim Ahmad Wani, Deputy Commissioners of the Excise and Taxation Department, Excise and Taxation Officers and other functionaries of Excise, Commercial Taxes Department and Accounts and Treasuries were present on the occasion.
Rather said ever since he took the charge of vital Finance Department, it has been his endeavour to improve its image among the people and policy makers of the state by creating a congenial work culture for its officers and employees. He said the Commercial Taxes Department, which is the major revenue generating department, was fully computerised adding that construction of Excise and Commercial Taxes Complex at Solina Srinagar and Toll Plaza, Lakhanpur have given a new direction to the functioning of these departments and the process of tax reforms. He said introduction of e-stamping will go a long way to further improve the tax revenue systems in the start.
“It has been my sincere effort since last 35 years to build image of the Finance Department and ensure as much growth as possible in both tax and non-tax revenue of the state through tax reforms and excellent Budget management,” Rather said adding that officers of repute and integrity were posted at senior positions. Likewise, much needed accountability was brought in the department under the overall administrative control of the Finance Department through continuous monitoring and periodical review meetings, which have proved very useful and fruitful.
Rather also listed various welfare schemes taken by the present government for the people and its employees adding that the wage bill which was just Rs. 5,500 crore in 2008-09 swelled to Rs. 1,800 crore in 2013-14. He said almost all the demands of the employees were met which include implementation of full Sixth Pay Commission recommendations, enhance in the retirement age from 58 years to 60 years, increasing qualifying service of the retiring employees, notwithstanding the fact that the state has limited resources.
Rather said re-organisation of the Excise and Commercial Taxes Departments is a major achievement as it will infuse fresh blood among the cadres of the department who were languishing due to continued stagnation. He further stated with this re-organisation, the revenues of state will increase and hoped that functionaries of department will now work with more zeal and enthusiasm.
Referring to the Souvenir, Rather described it a unique document which will provide insight about the landmark initiative taken by the present government towards spurring the economic growth of the State. He said that the present regime was a memorable era in restructuring of the state economy.
Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi in his inaugural address, described the re-organisation of Excise and Commercial Taxes Department, as one more land mark in modernisation of the department besides computerisation and providing conclusive working conditions in the shape of new Excise and Taxation Complex at Jammu and Srinagar. The Commissioner Commercial Taxes further appreciated the constant vigilance, monitoring and accountability by Finance Minister, which increased efficiency at all levels.
In his address, Zaffar Ahmad, while felicitating the Finance Minister for taking historical and path breaking policy decisions and initiatives in the Finance Department which have enabled the state to excel at National level in tax realization and Budget management thanked the Minister for getting through the proposal of re-organization of the Excise Department in the cabinet adding that creation of manpower by virtue of this extra-ordinary decision will go a long way to bring further improvement in the taxation system.
The President of the Excise and Taxation Union, Pervaiz Ahmad Dar also spoke on the occasion and thanked the Finance Minister for getting through Re-organisation proposal.