Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is facing an annual GST revenue loss of over ₹100 crore due to the import of spirit, according to Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh.
The Minister revealed that in 2024 alone, four major petroleum companies imported 30.26 crore litres of ethanol into the state, significantly impacting Kerala’s tax revenue. The import of spirit, particularly ethanol, avoids state taxes, leading to financial losses.
Rajesh emphasized the need for policy interventions to address this revenue shortfall and ensure Kerala maximizes its tax earnings from the growing spirit imports. The state is reportedly considering measures to regulate ethanol imports and strengthen tax enforcement to curb further losses.
