Excise dept exceeds tax target by 7%

Officials attribute success to registration of over 1,000 new vehicles

RAWALPINDI:

Despite challenging economic conditions, the Rawalpindi Excise and Taxation department’s Motor Branch has surpassed its tax collection target.

According to official sources, the department has collected over Rs632.4 million in revenue during the current financial year, exceeding the set target by 7%. In an effort to combat motor vehicle tax defaulters, a special campaign conducted in the first two weeks of June alone yielded over Rs21.8 million.

As per documents obtained from the Rawalpindi Excise and Taxation Motor Branch, the Director General of Punjab Excise and Taxation had set a target of Rs587.56238 million for the 2022-23 financial year. The motor branch went above and beyond this target, amassing a revenue of Rs608.589273 million in the month of May.

Officials said undeterred by their previous success, the motor branch continued its crackdown on tax defaulters.

On June 16, a special campaign led to a collection of Rs683,630. Further efforts were made to tackle tax evasion, resulting in collections of over Rs0.7 on June 18. On June 19, tax defaulters were compelled to pay Rs1.8, they said.

Officials from the motor branch attributed their success to the registration of over 1,000 new vehicles and motorcycles in Rawalpindi during field operations.

Additionally, they took action against more than 3,000 vehicles, both small and large, for various violations such as non-payment of token tax and unauthorized motor vehicle transfers. The motor branch's staff operated diligently at busy bus stands along Murree Road, Motorway, and GT Road to ensure the fulfilment of tax targets.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 23^rd, 2023.