New Delhi, Aug 12 (IANS) Indirect tax collection increased by 46.2 percent during the first four months of this financial year, boosted by a sharp jump in the collection of custom duties.

Total revenue collections were to the tune of Rs.96,223 crore during April-July 2010. The maximum growth was in customs collections which increased more than 70 percent during this period, the finance ministry said in a statement Thursday.

Collection of central excise duties increased by 42.8 percent to Rs.38,260 crore and collection of service tax rose 11.8 percent to Rs.16,418 crore, according to data released by the ministry.