India's customs and central excise revenue collection grew by 4.8 percent in August this year, totalling Rs.19,497 crore or Rs.194.97 billion, the government said Friday.

An official statement from the finance ministry said the cumulative customs and excise revenue collection up to August stood at Rs.93,856 crore (Rs.938.56 billion).

This is an increase of 10.5 percent over the Rs.84,974 crore (Rs.849.74 billion) realised during the corresponding period last fiscal.

The ministry said that the figures were provisional.

The government has also reported a growth of 9.4 percent in the collection of service tax to Rs.3,876 crore (Rs.38.76 billion) in July, as against Rs.3,543 crore (Rs.35.43 billion) realised the same month last year.

According to the statement, the government's cumulative service tax collection up to July this year was pegged at Rs.18,787 crore (Rs.187.87 billion) as against Rs.15,043 crore (Rs.150.43 billion) realised during the corresponding period last year.