ISLAMABAD, Sept 30: The tax authorities have claimed to have collected Rs92.5 billion during the first quarter (July-Sept) of 2003-04 against Rs90.35 billion collected during the same period in 2002-03, showing an increase of 2.37 per cent.

Official provisional figures released by Central Board of Revenue (CBR) here on Tuesday, showed that the revenue collection under sales tax declined by 4 per cent and central excise duty by 9 per cent during the period under review over the corresponding period of last year.

However, it was the customs duty which registered a growth of 36 per cent during the July-September period over the same period of last year.

CBR official spokesman, Vakil Ahmad Khan said that the board expected to collect Rs2.5 billion or more when the revenue collection was realized in the next 10 days.

On monthly basis, the board collected Rs39 billion in September 2003 against Rs37.15 billion the same month of last year, showing an increase of 4.97 per cent.

Further analysis showed that the tax authorities collected Rs23.3 billion under the head of direct taxes during July-Sept 2003-04 against Rs23.59 billion the same previous year last year.

The tax authorities collected Rs41.6 billion under the head of sales tax during the period under review against Rs43.781 billion the same period last year, showing a decline of 4.98 per cent.

Collection under the head of customs showed a rise of 36 per cent to Rs18.2 billion during the period under review as compared to Rs13.359 billion the same period last year.

The central excise duty showed a decline of 9.5 per cent to Rs8.7 billion during the period against Rs9.617 billion the same period last year.