ISLAMABAD, May 1: During the first 10 months of the current financial year, tax collection stood at Rs393.1 billion during July-April against the target of Rs388.8 billion set for the same period , showing a marginal increase of 1.1 per cent over the target.

The analysis of the statistics showed that revenue collection declined by 15.1pc to Rs39.7bn in April 2004 against the months's budgeted target of Rs46.8 billion.

A similar shortfall of 8.97 per cent was registered in the month of March 2004 as revenue stood at Rs39.958 billion during the month against the month's budgeted target of Rs43.9 billion.

The statistics showed that the collection of income tax, sales tax and central excise declined in March- April 2004 against the months' budgeted target. The custom's collection for the month of March 2004 showed a slight growth beyond its target. However, during the month of April, customs collection also declined by 11 per cent against the month's budgeted target.

Surprisingly, the tax authorities have collected more than Rs15 billion in revenue over and above the overall target up to March 2004 during the current financial year.

Tax-wise break-up showed that the tax authorities collected Rs16 billion under the head of sales tax in April against the target of Rs20 billion set for the same month, showing a decrease of 20 per cent.

The revenue under the head of direct taxes declined by 9 per cent to Rs13 billion during the month under review against the target of Rs14.3 billion set for the same month.

The revenue collection under the head of central excise duty (CED) stood at Rs3.8bn in April against the target of Rs4.7bn for the same month, showing a decline of 19 per cent.

The tax authorities collected Rs6.9bn under the head of customs collection against target of Rs7.8 billion, showing a decrease of 11.5 per cent.

Official provisional figures released by the CBR here on Friday, showed that the revenue collection registered a growth of 11.7pc during the period under review, when compared with the revenue realization of Rs352.1bn over the same period of last year.