Thiruvananthapuram, July 1 (UNI) The Thiruvananthapuram GST Zone has achieved significant milestones in revenue growth and detection in tax evasion. The enforcement and audit wings detected tax evasion worth Rs 580 crore in 2024-25, showcasing the zone's efforts in ensuring compliance.

The enforcement and the audit wings of the Thiruvananthapuram Zone of Central Tax, Excise and Customs have lodged cases involving tax evasion worth Rs 580 crore in the year 2024-25.

The Zone's GST revenue in the first two months of FY 2025–26 registered an impressive growth of 18%, while Central Excise revenue saw a growth rate of 14%.

Describing the GST as the biggest tax reform in independent India, Shaikh Khader Rahman, Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, Central Excise & Customs, Thiruvananthapuram Zone, said the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) conferred a ‘Commendation Certificate’ on the Thiruvananthapuram CGST Zone for its outstanding performance in two key areas of GST administration.

The recognition was based on exceptional performance in processing GST registrations - with 55 % of applications processed within 7 days, surpassing the national average of 17% and in the disposal of GST appeals, where 83pc of appeals filed during the year were successfully resolved, he noted.

On various key initiatives undertaken by the Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, and Kozhikode Commissionerates during GST Pakhwada 2025, Rahman stated that GST Helpdesks were set up at the Commissionerate Headquarters and across all Divisions in Cochin, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram to address taxpayer queries and enhance facilitation.

These dedicated helpdesks successfully resolved around 200 taxpayer grievances during the period, he added.

The eighth anniversary of GST was marked with a celebration themed 'GST – Simplifying Taxes: Empowering Citizens', highlighting the tax reform's impact on governance and taxpayers. Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal and actor Mohanlal graced the event.

As part of the ‘FIT India’ campaign, cycle marathons were conducted on May 18, 2025 across all three commissionerates.

Additionally, the Thiruvananthapuram Commissionerate organised GST-themed competitions – such as quizzes, essay writing, poster design, and extempore speeches – across 20 schools, along with a variety of outreach and creative awareness activities.

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