The West Bengal government has managed a turnaround in revenue collection, thanks to innovative use of technology and the impending need to raise resources and repair the state's tattered finances.
Data shows tax receipts during the first quarter of 2012-13 have risen 35%. In 2010-11, before the Trinamool Congress-led government came to power, tax collection by the Left Front government stood at Rs 21,000 crore, while in 2012-13 revenue collection is expected to touch Rs 31,000 crore. This will be realized due to efficiency of revenue collection and not by raising tax rates. The state government has undertaken several tax reform measures and plugged revenue leakages, a move which officials in the state say is paying dividends.
The Bengal government has said it is faced with a dire financial situation and had inherited a bankrupt treasury from the Left Front government. It also sought package from the Centre to tide over its tight financial situation. Since the withdrawal of support to the UPA coalition, help from the Centre has almost dried up, sources said.
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