ISLAMABAD, Jan 31: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) collected Rs457.5 billion during July-Jan period of the 2006-07 as against Rs369.8 billion collected the same period last year, indicating a growth of 23.7 per cent.

Provisional figures released here on Wednesday by the CBR showed that the collection of direct taxes rose by 60.9 per cent at Rs184 billion during the period under review as against Rs114.4 billion collected during the same period last year.

The sales tax collection reached to Rs169.5 billion during the period as against Rs154.9 billion of last year, indicating a growth of 9.4 per cent.

The excise duty collection registered an increase of 17.4pc at Rs34.6 billion during July-Jan 2006-07 as against Rs29.5 billion the corresponding period last year. While revenue from customs duties decreased by 2.4 per cent at Rs69.3bn during the period.