New Delhi, Aug 27 - Delhi government's revenue collection for the first fiscal quarter has fallen by Rs.168 crore (Rs.1.68 billion) or 3.88 percent compared to last year, Finance Minister A.K. Walia said Thursday.

'There has been collection of Rs.4,176 crore (Rs.41.76 billion) up to July 2009 whereas it was Rs.4,344 crore (Rs.43.44 billion) during the same period last year. The shortfall is around Rs.168 crore,' Walia said.

According to Walia, there has been substantial decrease in collection from stamps and registration fees, entertainment tax, betting tax and luxury tax.

Emphasising that the drop in tax would affect developmental activities, he asked concerned departments to avoid wasteful expenditure and streamline their collection process.