The Hindu Business Line : AP taxmen log on to VAT network for ecompact-2020

EVEN as consensus eludes the implementation of value-added tax (VAT) across the country, the Commercial Taxes Department of Andhra Pradesh has decided to cash in on the sophisticated electronic network put in place for VAT.

All offices of the Department in the State would have a Web-based solution that allows them to send information online by June-end.

The project, christened ecompact-2020, is being implemented on a pilot basis in the Abid's in Hyderabad and Warangal. A software audit by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) has also been completed for the project.

``Earlier, we used to get information stored in floppies from our offices, causing delays. This is because of the old system that used standalone computers,'' Mr D. Ramachandra Reddy, Deputy Commissioner (Computers), told Business Line.

VAT comes in handy for the Department in its plan to offer real time information flow. "The conversion to the new regime will enable us to get information real time," he said. PWC's audit, which was submitted on April 1, would help us ensure protection. Mr Reddy said the Department stood second to none in the country in taking up this kind of initiatives.

Mr T. Vivek, Joint Commissioner, said the Department was vetting ecompact-2020.

``It will help the Department put in place greater networking among our offices. While facilitating closer monitoring, it reduces the impact of discretion component,'' he said.

Meanwhile, the Department placed orders with Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) for equipment to expand its closed circuit monitoring of the inter-state border check posts.

With the success of the CCTV point set up at Tada, the Department has decided to expand the network to three other ICPs (Integrated Check Posts) at Chiragpalli in Medak district, Purushottapuram in Viziangaram district and Bhoraj in Adilabad district.

``We have placed orders with ECIL for equipment. We will be getting it next month,'' Ms Deepa Reddy, CTO (Computers), said. ``We have recently introduced a common software package at ICPs in order to facilitate faster transactions,'' she said.

More Stories on : Taxation | E-Governance | Andhra Pradesh

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