India's direct tax collection rises 16% y/y in April-Sept, government says

(Reuters) - The Indian government's net direct tax collection rose 16% year-on-year to 9.96 trillion rupees ($119.07 billion) during April 1 to Sep 17, it said in a statement on Wednesday.

Direct tax, which primarily includes income and corporate tax, was 12 trillion rupees on gross basis, or more than 21% higher year-on-year, the statement said.

Tax refunds worth 2.05 trillion rupees were issued during the same period, it said.

($1 = 83.6500 Indian rupees)

(Reporting by Mrinmay Dey and Nikunj Ohri)