Meghalaya assembly passes GST bill

The Meghalaya Assembly on Monday unanimously passed the Meghalaya Goods and Services Tax Bill 2017 paving the way for the roll out of GST regime from July 1.

The bill was introduced by Taxation Minister Zenith M Sangma in the special session of the assembly.

Speaker A T Mondal declared that Bill was passed by a voice vote.

Earlier Zenith said, "It is the desire of all states and the Government of India since long time back to see the light of the day when GST is rolled and also see a balance act of sharing the revenue."

He said under the new tax regime, the commodities used by the poorest section of the society will be considered at the lowest rate while the food grains and vegetables will be tax free.

On the members demanding more clarity on the pros and cons of the GST and its implementation in the state, Zenith said state government had protested the proposed taxes on state s own forest produce such as arecanut or even dry fish which is a popular food item among the tribals in the region.