Hyderabad: In a reflection of women’s rising influence across administrative sectors, the latest Group 1 exam results reveal that 66% of officers assigned to the commercial taxes department are women.Surpassing the 30% reservation quota, these women will now supervise the implementation of GST as commercial tax officers after completing their training, marking a historic milestone in the department’s evolution.The representation of women in the commercial taxes department has steadily grown over the decades. Today, eight of the existing additional commissioners are women, and the outgoing commissioner, K Haritha, traces her own journey back to the 1990s when she was the only female officer in her batch. Three decades later, the prominence of women in this field is unmistakable, underscoring both persistence and progress.According to the govt’s recent postings, 48 positions were allocated to the commercial taxes department for new CTOs, and women secured 31 of these roles. The allotment process prioritises revenue department placements, followed by police and then commercial taxes, occasionally resulting in overlapping assignments.Currently, the department comprises 34 senior positions, including additional commissioners, joint commissioners, and assistant commissioners, of which 24 are held by women. Department sources trace the growth of female officers back to 1996, when eight women first joined the workforce. Following the state bifurcation, several male officials moved to Andhra Pradesh, creating opportunities for women to ascend the ranks and leave their mark.“This is a department that demands continuous updates on rules and regulations and requires sharp analytical skills,” said a senior woman official. “Women have been excelling in this environment. Moreover, the work supports a healthy work-life balance, which is essential for many,” she added.Officers such as TK Sreedevi and Neetu Prasad, who served as commercial tax commissioners, further reinforced the narrative of women leading and shaping the department. Experts said the commercial taxes department demonstrates that women are now excelling in high responsibility roles traditionally dominated by men.
