ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The revenue receipts registered an increase of more than 14 per cent to Rs237 billion during July-January period of the current financial year against Rs207 billion collected during the same period last year.

Provisional figures released by the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) here on Friday showed that the revenue collection fell short by Rs1 billion to meet the target of Rs238 billion set for the July-Jan period.

CBR Official Spokesman and Member Direct Taxes, Vakil Ahmed Khan said that the CBR expected collection of more than Rs2 billion by mid February.

He said that the provisional collection for the month of January 2003 was Rs35.5 billion against Rs32.8 billion during the same month last year, showing an increase of 8.2 per cent.

Vakil said that the board would achieve the target of Rs37 billion set for the month of January 2003.

Further break up showed that the tax authorities collected Rs108.536 billion under the head of Sales Tax during the July-January period against Rs86.485 billion the same period last year, an increase of 25.49 per cent.

Collection under the head of customs showed an increase of 45.2 per cent to Rs33.687 billion against Rs23.2 billion collected during the same period last year.

The Central Excise Duty registered a negative growth of 3.82 per cent to Rs22.992 billion against Rs23.88 billion collected over the same period the previous year.

The tax authorities collected Rs71.715 billion under the head of direct taxes against Rs72.381 billion the last year, a decrease of 0.92 per cent.

According to the spokesman more refunds were paid to exporters during January 2003. He said that payment of refunds in the preceding months was Rs21 billion with monthly average of Rs3.5 billion.