Jammu, Oct 12: The State Commercial Taxes Department is all set to go online by December this year with the completion of computerization of all its transactions including the Value Added Tax regime to extend a taxpayer-friendly dispensation to the citizens. 
 Aimed at optimizing tax revenue through enhanced compliance besides providing improved services to the citizens, the VAT IT project worth Rs.40.49 crore has CTD, Finance Department, Treasury Offices, Banks and office of the Account General as its stake holders and is being implemented by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).
 In the first phase, the project will be implemented as pilot roll out at five locations of the state including Jammu, Kathua, Lakhanpur, Srinagar and Islamabad.
 This was informed at the maiden meeting of project implementation Committee constituted for computerization of Commercial Taxes Department chaired by Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather here today.
 On completion of the project, the Department will have the distinction of being the first department in the state to have e-transaction and e-governance network. Besides, the project will equip the CTD offices across the state with IT infrastructural facilities like PCs, printers, scanners and will provide training to the CTD officials on computer skills and application software. Out of the total project cost Rs 25.33 crore will be provided by the centre while the remaining amount will be borne by the beneficiary states.
 Addressing the meeting, the Minister appreciated TCS for working out such an innovative project which will help the state to check revenue leakage and create an environment for voluntary compliance. He also lauded other agencies connected with the implementation of this vital project. He hoped that with the implementation of the project, the state will be able to control tax evasion besides enhancing revenue collection.
 Rather asked the officers to strictly deal with the defaulters so that the state may not suffer on the larger scale mere for petty mistakes and carelessness on the part of the government functionaries.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Oct 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 12 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 13 Oct 2010 00:00:00 IST