We remain optimistic about targets for upcoming fiscal year: Tarun Bajaj

We will have higher revenue, but also our expenditure would exceed the revised estimates in the Budget, said Bajaj

Economic Affairs and Revenue Secretary Tarun Bajaj says the government should be able to weather the storm caused by rising Covid cases, given the availability of vaccines. He tells Dilasha Seth economic activities are unlikely to be affected due to Covid this time. Bajaj talks of fuel taxes, the equalisation levy and the faceless tax system, among other issues. Edited excerpts:
 
Tax collection this year has exceeded the revised estimates by a significant margin. Will it bring down the Centre’s fiscal deficit from 9.5 per cent of GDP for 2020-21 as estimated under the revised estimates in the Budget?