The Hindu : Kerala News : Centre taking away major share of taxes: Achuthanandan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Aug 08, 2007
ePaper

Kerala

Kerala

Centre taking away major share of taxes: Achuthanandan

Staff Reporter

Commercial Taxes Department to conduct social audit at Walayar
Walayar to become integrated modern check-post

PALAKKAD: Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said here on Tuesday that the Union Government was cornering the major share of taxes, depriving the States of their due share.

Launching the “corruption-free” Walayar check-post campaign, the Chief Minister said the Centre had not helped Kerala tide over the losses it sustained in the monsoon havoc. Hence, the State Government had no other go but to tap all sources of taxes to mobilise funds for development. All check-posts in the State would be made more efficient and corruption-free, he said.

Mr. Achuthanandan said the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government had taken several steps to modernise the Walayar check-post. These steps had yielded results in arresting the leakage of taxes. He said more facilities had been provided at the check-post. Additional staff will be posted as almost one-third of the goods movement to the State was through the Walayar check-post.

He said the Commercial Taxes Department would conduct a social audit at Walayar to root out corruption. The “corruption-free” check-post was part of the Government’s war against graft in administration, he said.

Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac, who presided, said the inter-State Walayar check-post would be converted into an integrated modern check-post in the country within three years . It will have 12 tracks with scanners and computerised counters, rest room for drivers etc.

He said 12 computerised counters to clear the rush had started functioning at the check-post from Tuesday. The existing staff were replaced with 250 specially trained staff who took charge on Tuesday. Seventy-five police personnel headed by a Dy. SP have been posted at the check-post to check corrupt practices.

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

Kerala