Assam Legislative Assembly Unanimously Passes GST Bill Friday Aug 12,2016

 

The Assam Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the Constitution Amendment Bill on GST, becoming the first state to ratify the crucial tax reform legislation.

"I declare the Bill, which was passed by both Houses of Parliament, to be ratified unanimously by Assam Assembly," Speaker Ranjeet Kumar Dass announced in the House.

Though opposition Congress and AIUDF MLAs supported the Bill, they had earlier sought a discussion in the Assembly to evaluate GST's impact on Assam and people. But they were turned down by the Speaker.

 Following passage of the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty Second Amendment) Bill, 2014, Dass and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who introduced it in the House, exchanged sweets.

 

Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal wanted that Assam becomes the first state to pass the amendment as this would send a positive signal to the industry.

"We have always lagged behind, but want to be the first in passing this Bill. This is a historic proposal. I thank the Speaker for allowing us to introduce it today after we informed him just last night," said Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who introduced the bill on behalf of the chief minister. Sarma said after Brazil and Canada, India will be the third country in the world to collect GST by both centre and state through a new body - GST Council (GSTC).