Total collection of direct taxes till October 1999 stood at Rs 20,917.36 crore as against Rs 19,561.48 crore during the corresponding period of the previous year, a rise of 6.93 per cent according to official figures released today. Excise collection on the other hand rose by 19.43 per cent to Rs 31,635.64 crore as against Rs 26,488.63 crore collected during the first seven months of 1998-99 financial year. Total indirect taxes collections between April-October, 1999 stood at Rs 59,142.73 crore, a rise of 16.88 per cent as against Rs 50,601.56 crore mopped up during the corresponding period last year. Customs revenue during the period under review stood at Rs 25,940.56 crore as compared to Rs 22,563.38 crore during April-October, 1998, a rise of 14.97 percent.

Income tax collection during April-October, 1999 stood at Rs 10,364.82 crore as compared to Rs 8716.97 crore registered during the corresponding period of the previous year, thereby registering a rise of 18.90 per cent.

The total tax collection (both direct and indirect taxes) for October, 1999 stood at Rs 11011.04 crore as compared to Rs 9250.25 crore collected during October 1998, an increase of 19.04 per cent. The income tax collection for October this year stood at Rs 1439.54 crore as compared to Rs 1340.79 crore during October, 1998, a rise of 7.37 per cent. Corporation tax during the first seven months of the current fiscal stood at Rs 10,433.46 crore as against Rs 10,349.99 crore last year.