Rs 12,900 cr loss due to staff errors

• Accountant General’s report says simple computation or arithmetic errors by employees caused loss of crores of rupees
• TNGO chief Deviprasad points to political interference as one of the reasons for pending revenue bills
• Departments recovered a mere Rs 14.85 crore out of the targeted Rs 2,198 crore over a period of more than 10 years
• Commercial Taxes Dept tops list with 14,165 cases of irregularities

Hyderabad: The underperformance of government employees in the undivided Andhra Pradesh State has led to heavy loss to revenue departments like commercial taxes, stamps and registration etc.

This has resulted in accumulation of tax arrears in both States, post division, to the tune of nearly Rs 12,900 core.

According to reports available with the State Accountant General, performance of the employees reflects a wide variety of errors affecting the State exchequer's health. A simple arithmetical calculation error in short levy of taxes in Commercial Taxes Office in Nacharam and Malkajgiri had caused a loss of Rs 18.82 lakh.

Incidents of incorrect computation of taxable turnover, short payment of purchase tax, incorrect claim of input tax credit on ineligible items, unauthorised remission of water tax under Nagarjauna Sagar and other projects and failing to collect penalties on delayed dues, had cost the state exchequer dearly, the report said.

Of the list which was prepared by the State Accountants General's office, the Commercial Taxes Department takes the cake standing on the top with nearly 14,165 cases of defects, omissions and irregularities. The land revenue and registration and stamps departments stand at second and third positions.

What's more shocking was the departments concerned had showed a laid back attitude in recovering unrealised revenues. In a period ranging from 5 to 141 months, out of nearly Rs 2,198 crore only Rs 14.85 crore was recovered at a rate of 0.67 per cent by the end of 2012 fiscal.

When asked about the failing performance of the employees, Telangana NGOs president Deviprasad said "Unrealistic targets set by successive governments, political interference, etc, were some of the reasons that might have reflected in the chart of pending revenues".

He said, “Employees from both states had to face difficulties in collecting revenues in places like Old City, Kadapa, Pulivendula, Prodduturu as there was threat to their lives and safety.”