In central excise, 257 declarations have been received in the Mumbai commissionerate. The declarations involve duty to the tune of Rs 32 crore, of which only Rs 16 crore will be collected, since the scheme demands payment of fifty per cent of disputed duty. Where only penalties, interest etc remain unpaid (and in dispute) also only half of the amount is to be paid. The scheme, now in its last lap, does not seem to have attracted too many taxpayers. Though chief commissioner of income tax, Mumbai, B Mishra maintains that the scheme was picking up very fast inthe last few days.

According to Mishra, when 600 declarants had come forward, about 2000 appeals had been disposed of, one case usually having multiple appeals. He also said several assessees wanted to arrange for the money and were, therefore, planning to file their declarations as late as possible.

The scheme, though closing on December 31, requires the tax as determined by the designated authority (DA) to be paid within a month of the order of the DA. The DA has sixty days from the declaration to pass the order. (This is unlike VDIS in which the tax was to be paid along with the declaration).