The West Bengal Government has made online registration of Value Added Tax (VAT) compulsory from the 1st of next month. Announcing this in Kolkata on Tuesday the State Finance Minister, Dr. Amit Mitra said that his Department has taken several measures to create a tax friendly regime for the business community including small and medium enterprises through e-Governance initiatives. These include e-Return of Sales Tax, e-Payment under industrial promotion assistance scheme, e-Refund of Value Added Tax. Dr. Mitra informed that 151 facilitating centers have been set up through out the State for online submission of various taxes. The Finance Minister said that the facilities will eliminate corruption and people’s harassment as well as it will increase revenue collection.