Ch’garh Assembly unanimously ratifies GST Bill

Chhattisgarh Assembly on Monday passed the Constitution Amendment Bill for GST, but opposition Congress said this bill would take away the power of the state.

''Through this GST Bill Chhattisgarh will give away its power to the Centre to impose tax. And once it becomes Act, the voice of the state will be almost zero,'' Leader of Opposition Tribhubaneswar Sharan Singh Deo told the state assembly. A day long short notice session was convened on Monday to discuss and pass the 122nd Constitution Amendment Bill for GST. A total of 18 speakers put forth their points and after an uninterrupted about 6.23 hours discussion, Assembly Speaker Gauri Shankar Agrawal declared the bill passed unanimously.

Moving the bill, Commercial Tax Minister Amar Agrawal said ''being a producer state, Chhattisgarh will be immensely benefitted through the Goods and Services Tax  and the GST will also increase employment opportunities with in the state''.

''I am a supporter of the GST. But we should keep it in mind this will not benefit Chhattisgarh. GST will adversely affect the poor section of the society,'' the Congress legislature party leader said adding ''The GST will help increase inflation, federal structure will be affected and even if Chhattisgarh will oppose any issue on GST, the decision of the Centre will be prevailed''.

Congress leader Kawashi Lakhma said due to faulty policy of the Government, chicken is now available at Rs 80 per kg and dal price have gone up to Rs 200. ''This GST will help big businessmen like Ambani and Adani where as small traders will suffer. One can also imagine the consequences after GST is clamped on forest produces like tendu leaves and products. Where will the poor tribals go,'' asked Lakhma.