According to tax collection figures released by the finance ministry on Monday, the revenue from customs during December decreased by 22.53 per cent as compared to the corresponding period of the last financial year. Customs collection in the month was Rs 3,594.11 crore as against Rs 4,639.26 crore in December 1999.

The main reason for the decline in customs revenue is softening of oil prices in the international market. The finance ministry, it may be pointed out, reduced duties on crude and products when the prices were ruling high. The impact of duty cut on collection is being felt now.

Total tax collection during December was Rs 22,294.20 crore as compared to Rs 22,286.18 crore in the corresponding month last year.

Poor revenue realisation was also witnessed in case of excise, which showed an increase of only 5.05 per cent during the month. Collection from income tax and corporation tax during the month at Rs 3,722.47 crore and Rs 8,905.53 crore showed an increase of 8.82 per cent and 9.65 per cent respectively. This was much lower that the April-December average increase of 36.80 per cent for income tax and 25.57 per cent for corporation tax.

However, total tax collection during April-December went up to Rs 1,29,568.91 crore from Rs 1,13,571.48 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal representing a growth of 14.09 per cent.

Direct tax collection during April-December 2000 was Rs 44,686.02 crore against Rs 34,608.38 crore during the corresponding period last year showing an increase of 29.12 per cent. Income tax collection during the nine-month period was Rs 20,584.34 crore as compared to Rs 15,047.17 crore during the corresponding period last fiscal showing an increase of 36.80 per cent. Corporation tax collection during the period was Rs 23,768.11 crore representing an increase of 25.57 per cent.

As far as indirect taxes were concerned, excise collection during the nine-month period totalled Rs 47,654,77 crore as compared to Rs 42,334.63 per cent in the corresponding period last year showing an increase of 12.57 per cent. Collection of customs revenue during April-December 2000 was Rs 34,701.59 crore as compared to Rs 34,542.61 crore during the corresponding period last year.

Total collection of indirect taxes during April-December was Rs 84,882.89 crore as compared to Rs 78,963.10 crore during the corresponding period last year representing an increase of 7.50 per cent.