January 18, 2003	Saturday	Ziqa'ad 14, 1423

ISLAMABAD, Jan 17: The revenue receipts registered an increase of over Rs1 billion to Rs201.430 billion during the first half of the current financial year against the target of Rs200 billion set for the same period.

The Central Board of Revenue official spokesman Vakil Ahmed Khan said the revenue collection registered 15 per cent growth during the July-December period of the current financial year as it stood at Rs201.430 billion against Rs174.92 billion over the last year.

Official figures released here on Friday, showed the tax authorities collected Rs92.236 billion under the head of sales tax during the July-December period of the current financial year against Rs73.515 billion it netted during the same period of last year, showing an increase of 25.5 per cent.

Under the head of customs, the tax authorities collected Rs27.687 billion against Rs18.06 billion collected during the same period last year, showing an increase of 53 per cent; while Rs19.792 billion were collected under the head of central excise duty against Rs20.178 billion collected over the same period last year, showing a decrease of 1.9 per cent.

The CBR collected Rs61.715 billion under the head of direct taxes during the first half against Rs62.776 billion over the corresponding period of last year, showing a decrease of 1.7 per cent.

According to the spokesman, the decrease registered under the head of direct taxes was due to the abolishing of withholding taxes.

He, however, said the target set for the direct taxes would be achieved by the end of the current financial year.

The spokesman further said the increase in collection of customs duty was due to surge in the dutiable imports and reduction in rates of the rebates this year.