Replying to a query on action against bitumen importers in the state, commissioner of sales tax - Maharashtra - NitinKarir said that the state sales tax department would plan aggressive drives against those evading taxes by way of misinterpretations of norms.

The department had recently raided some of the infrastructure development companies in Aurangabad division and recovered sales tax on bitumen purchase. A highly place officer in the department had said that many companies engaged in road construction on build operate and transfer (BOT) model were not paying sales tax.

"Many companies import the material from refineries located in other states but do not fulfill the tax obligations," he had said.

Commenting on the pending assessment cases, Karir reiterated that the tax assessment for four financial years till 2010-11 would be completed by July 2014 worth total revenue of Rs 23,000 crore.

Karir said that the department would complete all the cases from 2006-07, 2007-08, 2009-10 and 2010-11 financial years that would help the department meet its annual tax collection target of Rs 70,500 crore. (Assessment for 2008-09 has been done, while 2012-13 assessment will be done later).

He said the department would introduce a new online system from August 19 in which a dealer purchasing goods would be able to verify tax paid by the dealer selling it. This would bring transparency in the system and also curb tax evasion, he added.