With the Haryana government facing an estimated revenue loss of Rs1,340 crore on account of shifting of liquor vends from the national highways across the state, the excise and taxation department is looking for new options to cover the deficit. This is what was discussed during the meeting held by the state excise and taxation minister Kiran Choudhry here on Friday. The meeting reviewed the recovery of arrears and delay in action against the department's officers and employees, who were indicted for financial lapses and irregularities after the special audit conducted earlier this year.

Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) is among those organizations which have defaulted in its payment of taxes to the Haryana government. Department officials informed the minister that a sum of Rs2,294.80 crore was outstanding against IOCL. "We have to lay stress on the recovery of this amount. Apart from this, concerned officers should have to be extremely careful while recommending or writing off dead arrears," Kiran told the officials.