Thanks to the high GDP growth of 8.6 per cent in 2010-11, the Government collected more revenue than it expected to. The actual tax collections till March-end stood at Rs 7.92 lakh crore, higher than the revised target of Rs 7.8 lakh crore.

Tax headquarters

This was stated by the Finance Minister, Mr Pranab Mukherjee, on Saturday while presenting awards to the winners of the national architectural design competition for the new tax headquarters “Rajaswa Bhawan”.

The new building will be on a 5.65 acre plot in Kasturba Gandhi Marg just off Connaught Place. Currently, the Revenue Department is in North Block, the headquarters of the Finance Ministry.

In his brief address, Mr Mukherjee said that the project is expected to be completed in 24-30 months. It would be people friendly and in full harmony with the “green” character of Lutyens Delhi, he said.

Meanwhile, the Revenue Secretary, Mr Sunil Mitra, said at the event that the Finance Ministry hopes to obtain the administrative and municipal clearances within six months. The construction would begin at the site by January 1 next, he said.

krsrivats@thehindu.co.in