Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a faceless GST system for about two lakh taxpayers registered under multiple CGST jurisdictions. The plan was unveiled on Thursday after the 57th GST Council meeting.

The scheme offers a single national window for scrutiny of returns, audit, adjudication, appeals and grievance redressal. Notices, hearings and orders will move to a national platform instead of local tax offices.

Sitharaman clarified this is a separate Central government initiative, not part of the council's agenda. About 69.5 lakh taxpayers fall under CGST jurisdiction in total.

The framework will go for public consultation before the next budget. Rollout is targeted for FY28 (2027-28). The model draws on the faceless system already used in income tax.

Tax experts say centralised handling should bring uniform decisions across regions and cut compliance burden, especially for large businesses operating in several states. The minister said 99 per cent of GST process issues stand resolved and rate changes will now be an annual April feature.