Assam to implement GST: Himanta

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 8: The Assam government will seek to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on April 1, 2017, its scheduled deadline. Informing this to members of the House on Monday, Fince minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that after getting the Centre’s nod, the State government will pass the bill in the Assembly.  “We will try to become the first State in the country to pass the bill. After the introduction of GST, VAT and other taxes will be abolished,” said Sarma. The State Fince minister further said people would get relief by paying 3 percent less sales tax on several items. “Those goods which have 15 percent sales tax will come down to 9 percent and those goods which carry 6 percent sales tax will rise to 9 percent,” he said.

Sarma said, “If we get the GST bill from the Centre before August 9, then we will try to pass it in the current Assembly session and if we get it after August 13, then a one-day special session of the Assembly is likely to be held.”

The current budget session of the State Assembly will come to an end on August 13.