Kerala to Introduce Faceless Adjudication in SGST Department to Enhance Transparency

Last updated: 14 February 2025

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Kerala's State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) department is set to implement a 'faceless adjudication' system, a significant move aimed at enhancing transparency and curbing corruption. This phased rollout, supported by a ₹3 crore budget allocation for technological upgrades, is expected to improve the efficiency and fairness of tax administration. The announcement was made by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal during the State Budget discussions.

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal on Wednesday announced the implementation of 'faceless adjudication' in the taxpayer services and audit wings of the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) department. The move, aimed at improving transparency and reducing corruption, was unveiled during discussions on the 2025-26 State Budget in the Assembly.

The faceless adjudication system will be rolled out in phases, with ₹3 crore allocated in the budget for necessary hardware and software upgrades. SGST officials emphasized that this initiative would enhance efficiency in tax administration while ensuring fair and impartial adjudication.

Kerala s SGST Department Goes Faceless for Transparency

Additional Budget Announcements

Alongside tax administration reforms, the Finance Minister made several key allocations:

Landslide Rehabilitation: A special package was announced for survivors in Vilangad.
Highway Development: The Balaramapuram-Kaliyikkavila stretch of the National Highway will be completed with funds from KIIFB.
Plantation Housing: ₹10 crore allocated for addressing housing issues in the plantation sector and reconstructing 'Layams.'
Digital Property Cards: ₹2 crore set aside to develop digital property cards that consolidate all property details owned by individuals.
Ayurveda Park: ₹2 crore allocated for developing an Ayurveda Park in Trithala.
Kattapana Traffic Solution: ₹5 crore sanctioned for a new ring road project to ease congestion in Kattapana municipality.
Thalassery Heritage Project: ₹1 crore earmarked to restore the 150-year-old Thalassery municipality building as part of a broader heritage initiative.

These measures reflect the state's commitment to digital governance, infrastructure development, and social welfare.

FAQ :

Faceless adjudication is a new system where tax administration processes, including taxpayer services and audit wings, will be conducted without direct physical interaction between officials and taxpayers, aiming to increase transparency and reduce corruption.

The primary goals are to enhance transparency in the SGST department, reduce opportunities for corruption, and improve the overall efficiency and fairness of tax administration.

The system will be rolled out in phases, and the state budget has allocated ₹3 crore for the necessary hardware and software upgrades to support this initiative.

The implementation was announced by Kerala's Finance Minister, K.N. Balagopal, during the discussions on the 2025-26 State Budget in the Assembly.

Yes, the budget also includes allocations for landslide rehabilitation, highway development, plantation housing, digital property cards, an Ayurveda Park, a traffic solution in Kattapana, and the Thalassery Heritage Project.

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CCI News Desk

Finance news reporter covering taxation, GST, income tax, business compliance, and economy updates. I simplify complex financial topics into easy-to-understand articles for professionals, taxpayers, and business owners on leading finance and tax platforms.

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