Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asserted that the state should set a national benchmark in GST collections by leveraging technology, data analytics, and effective coordination between central and state tax departments. Chairing a high-level coordination meeting of Central and State GST officials at his camp office on Friday, the Chief Minister called for stringent measures to curb tax evasion and improve revenue realization.

Addressing the officials, Naidu emphasized the need for a robust tax intelligence system powered by data analytics. “We must analyse tax trends, detect anomalies, and prevent leakages using tools like electricity consumption tracking. Every rupee collected should contribute to national wealth and people’s welfare,” he said.

The Chief Minister instructed officials to establish competitive tax performance practices, especially with neighbouring states, and to ensure foolproof GST registration procedures. He reiterated that GST compliance and enforcement must leave no room for evasion in Andhra Pradesh.

Highlighting his administration’s commitment to efficient governance, CM Naidu announced plans to build a comprehensive “Data Lake” that would consolidate information from all government departments. “This platform will soon be made accessible to Central GST officials as well, facilitating seamless information exchange and decision-making,” he said.

He noted that Andhra Pradesh currently ranks fourth in the country in attracting investments and reaffirmed his vision of making the state a leader in all sectors. “Just as Hyderabad brought prosperity to Telangana—accounting for nearly 75% of its revenue—we aim to develop Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, and Tirupati to similar levels,” Naidu said.

The Chief Minister stressed the importance of raising tax awareness among businesses and citizens with support from institutions like the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). He warned that while education and persuasion would be the first step, the government would not hesitate to take stern action against persistent evaders.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that GST collections in the state have registered a 3.4% growth. They also reported that new GST Tribunals are set to be established in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada soon, which will aid in the swift resolution of tax disputes.

Additionally, Central GST authorities requested the state to allocate 5 acres of land in Amaravati for the construction of a zonal office and residential quarters for GST personnel.