The Trade and Taxes department of Delhi Government has collected over Rs 15 crore as penalty from various VAT tax evaders between April to December this fiscal against around Rs 3.5 crore in the corresponding period of 2010-11.

Tax officials said the four-fold increase in collection of tax penalty could be achieved due to frequent tax surveys on premises of traders by enforcement teams.

"The total penalty collection during April to December was Rs 15.18 crore against just Rs 3.46 crore in the corresponding period of 2010-11. The increase is 439 per cent," they said.

The officials said a total of 2,763 vehicles were impounded during the period for carrying goods without paying Value Added Tax. The number of vehicle impounded during April and December in 2010-11 was 1,212.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, who also holds the Finance portfolio, complimented the Trade and Taxes department for strong vigil against the tax evaders.

The department has collected Rs 11,283.78 crore from VAT till January 31 against the target of Rs 14,500 crore for the whole 2011-12.