Commercial Taxes Department to go digital

CHENNAI: Aiming at ensuring transparency in administration and in checking tax evasion, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday ordered total computerisation of the Commercial Taxes Department, which nets two-thirds of revenue for the State government. The CM allocated `230.96 crore towards this purpose and set February, 2013 as the deadline for completing the task. Jayalalithaa took this step after coming to know that only basic services of the department have been computerised so far.The CM also formed a high-level committee headed by Chief Secretary Debendranath Sarangi to monitor the computerisation works. Besides, training will be provided to all officials of the Commercial Taxes Department as well as the tax payers on computerisation, an official release here said.A round-the-clock help centre will be set up to facilitate the tax payers in getting all the necessary information as the data will be constantly updated.  Besides, total computerisation will reduce the direct contacts between the officials and traders thus leading to transparency in administration.Apart from these, computerisation would also ensure hassle-free auditing and improve coordination between other departments besides banking transactions.  Since the computerisation is expected to lessen the work burden of the employees, they could devote their time to other works.