New Delhi: The centre''s gross tax collection grew by over 18 per cent to Rs1,94,231 crore in the first nine months of this fiscal mainly due to growth in direct tax mop-ups. The gross tax collection improved from Rs1,64,170 crore during April-December 2003-04 with corporation tax, income tax and customs duties posting double-digit growth during the nine-month period, according to the figures collated by Controller General of Accounts.

Th central government has estimated a net tax mop up of Rs2,33,906 crore for this fiscal.

Corporation tax receipts grew by a handsome 30 per cent to Rs49,697 crore till December 2004 from Rs38,216 crore in December 2003 in tune with the improved performance of India Inc. Income Tax collection rose by 21 per cent at Rs31,873 crore in the first nine months of 2004-05.

On the indirect tax front, customs collections rose by about 13.5 per cent to Rs41,265 crore during the period under review. Excise duty mop up was Rs61,837 crore till December this fiscal, which is 9.5 per cent higher than Rs56,499 crore in the same period last fiscal.