Kitty from the two metros almost static; collections from smaller ones way above last years.

Direct tax realisation across the country shows the major centres of Mumbai and Delhi witnessing flat or negative growth, while smaller ones have shown encouraging trends.

Number one in growth over last years net direct tax collection during April 1-December 1 is Bhubaneswar, with a 52.6 per cent increase at Rs 4,187 crore (Rs 2,744 crore in last years corresponding period). Of the collection this year, Rs 2,959 crore has come from corporate tax and Rs 1,226 crore from personal income tax.

A senior department official said the better growth in direct tax realisation in smaller regions clearly indicated an increase in business activities in these. And, that this had come despite overall sluggish performance. Jaipur with 43.2 per cent at Rs 3,431 crore (Rs 2,395 earlier) during the period is at the second spot and Bhopal with a 35.5 per cent increase at Rs 5,809 crore (Rs 4,288 crore) is third. Chandigarh, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Kochi are fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh, with growth of 34 per cent, 29 per cent, 27.3 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively.

The net collection in Chandigarh during April 1-December 1 was Rs 11,594 crore (Rs 8,659 crore last year, same period). It was ~ 10,942 crore (Rs 8,485 crore) in Ahmedabad; Rs 2,821 crore (2,216 crore) in Lucknow and Rs 3,120 (Rs 2,517 crore) in Kochi. Patna, with 20 per cent growth at Rs 2,766 crore (Rs 2,306 crore), is eighth.

In comparison, the two biggest contributors to the tax kitty, Mumbai and Delhi, have recorded a 0.1 per cent growth and a 1.5 per cent fall, respectively, during April 1-December 1. Net direct tax mop-up during this period in Mumbai was Rs 72,516 crore (Rs 72,445 crore last year); in Delhi, Rs 33,246 crore (Rs 32,750 crore).

Bangalore and Chennai centres have seen an increase in net direct tax realisation by 14 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively. The collection in Bangalore was Rs 22,755 crore (Rs 19,950 crore) and Rs 17,382 crore (Rs 15,116 crore) in Chennai. Total net direct tax realisation growth during April 1-December 1 has been 8.8 per cent, as against a 7.1 per cent increase witnessed till October.

While gross direct tax mop-up till December 1 in 2011-12 was Rs 3,03,650 crore, net collections were Rs 2,34,729 crore, after refunds of Rs 68,918 crore. Net direct tax realisation during April-December 1 in 2010-11 was Rs 2,15,659 crore. Of the total net realisation of Rs 2,34,729 crore, about Rs 1,47,225 crore was from corporate tax and Rs 83,535 crore from income tax.

The governments budget target for direct tax collection is Rs 5.33 lakh crore, with a projected growth of 19 per cent, higher than the 18 per cent in 2010-11.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes is now keenly awaiting the third installment of advance tax payment due on December 15, for an improvement on the growth figure of 8.8 per cent witnessed till December 1.