Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda has stated in his first Independence Day address that the state’s finances were sound as the government mopped up Rs 58,541 crore revenue during 2010-2011 as compared to Rs 49,156 crore during 2009-2010. Gowda, the ruling BJP’s new Chief Minister after B S Yeddyurappa stepped down following his indictment by a Lokayukta report on illegal mining, said revenue receipts for 2010 – 2011 have registered a growth of 18 per cent.
He said the state government spent a record Rs 31,750 crore, while the target of plan expenditure for 2010-2011 was fixed at Rs 31,050 crore. “The Planning Commission, Reserve Bank of India, and 13th Finance Commission have commended our efforts in resource mobilisation, fiscal management and increasing the plan expenditure.”
Talking about tax collections, Gowda said commercial tax grew at 27 per cent in 2010-2011 and motor vehicles tax grew by 37 per cent. Moreover, the stamp duty collection went up to 36 per cent and excise tax by 19 per cent.
