New Delhi, Feb 23 : External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee claimed on Monday that tax collections have more than doubled since the United Progressive Alliance came to power in May 2004.

Direct and indirect tax collections have grown at an impressive pace over the past few years and it stands at about six lakh crore rupees annually, said Mukherjee after laying the foundation stone of Rajaswa Bhawan in New Delhi.

Describing the performance of the Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) as ''impressive'', Mukherjee said the boards have achieved the huge tax collection at an extremely low cost of just half percent.

He also said that this has enabled the government to appropriately fund its flagship programmes for inclusive growth.

Mukherjee advised the board to act in the most proficient and dedicated manner to face any probable challenges in the future.

Giving the exact figures of tax collections, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the tax revenue has reached to six lakh seventy thousand crore rupees due to efficient tax collection and better tax compliance.

The Minister for Urban Development Mr Jaipal Reddy, also present at the ceremony, commended the fine job of the Revenue department.

He said the enormous budgetary support by the government to development programmes in the country helped in achieving the targets. (ANI)