Central Excise, Customs and Service Tax payers in this zone, which covers the rest of the State except Chennai, are likely to have an e-helpline facility soon.

V.S. Krishnan, Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Customs, and Service Tax, Coimbatore Zone, told The Hindu on Monday that we are thinking of creating an e-helpline. It is till in the conceptualisation stage.

The aim is to extend time-bound assistance in problems related to assessment, procedures and systems. Since the zone is spread across the State (covering Coimbatore, Salem, Madurai, Tiruchi and Tirunelveli districts), those who need assistance will be able to contact the Chief Commissioner directly if the helpline facility is available. Depending on the response, it can be extended to the commissionerates.

Mr. Krishnan said the zone had performed well in Central Excise and Service Tax collection in 2011-12 and realisation was almost near the targeted revenue.

This year would be buoyant and the targets were likely to be substantially higher.

With the tax net getting wider, we are moving towards a Goods and Service Tax regime. Widening of the base permits lowering of the tax rates, he said.

Compliance had improved across the country during the last five years and the situation had improved in this zone too.

The commissionerate would also focus on improving the skills of its officials here in niche areas, he added.