ISLAMABAD, Dec 31: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) collected Rs219.9 billion during the first half of the 2003-04 against the target of Rs218.1 billion set for the same period, showing an increase of Rs1.8 billion.

Provisional figures released by the board here on Wednesday showed that the revenue collection registered a growth of 9.2 per cent during the July-December 2003-04 when compared to Rs201.4 billion during the same period last year.

On monthly basis, the revenue collection stood at Rs50.1 billion during December 2003 against the target of Rs49.6 billion, showing an increase of Rs0.5 billion. And in comparison to Rs44.7 billion collected during the same month last year it showed a growth of 12.1 per cent.

The tax wise break up showed that Rs17.5 billion were collected under the head of direct taxes during December 2003 against the target of Rs21.3 billion, showing an increase of 17.8 per cent.

Under the head of customs duty Rs8.8 billion were collected during the same month under review against the target of Rs6.9 billion, showing an increase of 27.5 percent.

The CBR collected Rs2.9 billion under the head of central excise duty during the month against the target of Rs3.7 billion, showing a decline of 21.6 percent. Under the head of sales tax Rs20.9 billion were collected during December 2003 against the target of Rs17.7 billion, showing an increase of 18 per cent.