Banjara Hills Hosts GST Day Celebrations Marking Nine Years Of Tax Reform

The CGST and Customs, Hyderabad Zone, celebrated GST Day on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, at the Amaravathi Auditorium in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, to mark the completion of nine years of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reform. The event was organized under the theme 'Sugam Kar Vyavastha, Sashakt Bharat', which translates to 'Simplified Tax System, Empowered India'.

Arun Kumar, IRS, the Chief Commissioner of Central Tax and Customs for the Hyderabad Zone, officially inaugurated the celebrations. In his address, Kumar highlighted the transformative impact of the GST regime since its inception. He noted that the reform has succeeded in creating a unified national market, improving tax compliance through technology-driven administration, and simplifying indirect taxation. He added that GST has significantly enhanced transparency and the ease of doing business in India, while thanking the department's officers and staff for their dedication to facilitating voluntary compliance.

Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court, Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh, attended the celebration as the chief guest. Justice Singh praised the significant progress achieved under the GST framework over the last nine years. He emphasized that a transparent, fair, and efficient tax administration is critical for promoting economic growth and strengthening public confidence in governance.

To further the objectives of voluntary compliance, Justice Singh underscored the need for continuous cooperation between taxpayers and the tax administration. He advised the department to organize outreach programmes to build awareness among stakeholders and suggested utilizing the Legal Services Authority framework to foster collaborative efforts.

Padma Shri awardee and prominent film actor Dr K Brahmanandam also attended the event to congratulate the department on its nine successful years of GST implementation.

As part of the event, the department screened an audio-visual presentation that detailed the nine-year journey and key achievements of the GST regime. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of commendation certificates to officers and staff members in recognition of their exemplary service, outstanding performance, and contributions to GST and Customs administration.