The State Government has announced a Rs 230.96-crore project to fully computerise the Commercial Taxes Department to enable real-time information flow and interaction between tax payers and the Department.
The move is aimed at simplifying the processes, enhancing transparency, reducing direct contact between tax payers and government officials and enhancing efficiency of tax collection, according to an official press release. A 24-hour help centre will be set up as a part of the computerisation programme to provide information and assistance to the tax payers.
The project to be completed in 14 months will involve an initial investment of Rs 93.40 crore, with the balance being recurring expenditure over the next five years. Commercial taxes account for two-thirds of the State's own revenues and are key to implementing development and welfare programmes.
Following the computerisation, the function of the Commercial Taxes Department will be better integrated with other departments, banks and the treasury, and its counterparts in other States.
This will increase the efficiency of the staff and increase output.
A high-level committee of the Secretaries of various departments including Commercial Taxes, Finance, Information Technology and Registration will be constituted under the Chief Secretary to oversee the implementation of the project, the release said.