Kerala to Launch Faceless Adjudication in SGST Department to increase Transparency

Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal stated on Wednesday that the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) department’s taxpayer services and audit wings will now implement ‘faceless adjudication’. The decision, aimed at increasing transparency and decreasing corruption, was announced during the Assembly’s disscussions of the 2025-26 State Budget.

The faceless adjudication system would be implemented in stages, with Rs.3 crore allocated in the budget for essential hardware and software updates. SGST officials emphasized that this move will improve tax administration efficiency while maintaining fair and unbiased adjudication.

More Budget Announcements

Along with tax administration improvements, the Finance Minister made numerous important allocations:

• A special gift has been announced for survivors in Vilangad.
• The Balaramapuram-Kaliyikkavila portion of the National Highway will be completed utilising KIIFB funds.
• Rs.10 crore has been given to alleviate housing concerns in the plantation sector and rebuild ‘Layams.’
• Rs.2 crore has been set aside for the development of digital property cards that integrate all individual property facts.
• Ayurveda Park development in Trithala has been granted Rs.2 crore.
• A new ring road project of Rs.5 crore has been approved to reduce traffic congestion in Kattapana municipality.
• Rs.1 crore has been set aside to rehabilitate the 150-year-old Thalassery municipality building as part of a larger heritage program.

These measures demonstrate the state’s commitment to digital governance, infrastructural development, and social welfare.