BANGALORE: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Friday that cases of evasion of commercial taxes by transporters at check posts had increased slightly, and the Government had initiated measures to curb it.

Addressing presspersons, Mr. Yediyurappa, who holds the Finance portfolio, said he had reports that truck owners and drivers were not cooperating with officials of the Department of Commercial Taxes at check posts on the outskirts of cities. Transporters were allegedly threatening officials with the help of hangers-on of politicians. The department had initiated action to punish those who prevented officials from checking trucks and documents of transporters, he added.

He said the revenue from commercial taxes was increasing, and hoped the target would be achieved. Irregularities in the collection of commercial taxes would be prevented and vehicles involved in cases of evasion of taxes seized, he added.

Mr. Yediyurappa said he would release Rs. 150 crore for taking up road projects on priority. This would be in addition to funds earmarked in the budget.

Legislators could utilise the funds available under the Legislators' Area Development Fund for projects and ask deputy commissioners to release funds, he added.

He said a Government Order would be issued immediately on grant of loans to fishermen at four per cent interest.

Mr. Yediyurappa said distribution of bicycles to girls studying in government schools in rural areas would begin in the first week of July. Four companies had come forward to supply bicycles, and one of them would be selected.

The Deputy Chief Minister said he was giving priority to implementing programmes announced in the budget, and regular review of departments was under way. He, along with Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, would pressure the Centre to adopt the Karnataka experiment of extending loans to farmers at four percent interest during their next visit to New Delhi.

Mr. Yediyurappa said the Government wanted to help merit-category students from poor families secure seats in professional colleges.

He had convened a meeting of representatives of private professional colleges on Tuesday, he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail