With the increase in corporate tax collection, the net direct tax mop up rose by 15 per cent to Rs 32,885 crore (Rs 328.85 billion) till September 25, even as the income tax collection was slow.

The net tax collection was Rs 28,579 crore (Rs 285.79 billion) during the same period in 2002-03, an official release said in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The corporate tax collection was up by about 29 per cent to Rs 18,637 crore (Rs 186.37 billion) as compared to Rs 14,501 crore (Rs 145.01 billion) in the same period of 2002-03, it said.

The income tax collection rose marginally by over one per cent to Rs 14,247 crore (Rs 142.47 billion) till the third week of this month as compared to Rs 14,077 crore (Rs 140.77 billion) in the corresponding period in 2002-03.