The Maharashtra Budget announced on Thursday has offered an amnesty scheme for those who avoid paying profession tax. Taking note of substantial arrears of such tax, penalty and interest, Mr Patil thought of offering some concessions to recover part of it.

I am of the opinion that if some concessions are given towards these, significant arrears can be recovered, Mr Patil said while proposing to introduce the amnesty scheme. The unregistered professionals and employers will also be eligible to claim benefits of this scheme.

If they pay the due amount in respect of periods starting on or after April 1, 2002, then they will be exempted from any demand relating to earlier periods, Mr Patil said. The details of the scheme are to be released later.

He acknowledged that the number of unregistered tax payers is too large to ignore. With a view to identifying, registering and making the defaulters pay the tax, Mr Patil announced a plan to undertake a comprehensive state-wide survey from October 1 this year. He also promised to create new posts under the proposed survey.

If the unregistered taxpayers or employers register themselves before the commencement of the survey, they will be given relief under the proposed amnesty scheme, Mr Patil made it clear.