Maha joins league of GST states
The Maharashtra state legislature on Monday ratified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill unanimously, joined the league of states which have already approved the legislation that will pave the way for roll-out of a single and unified tax system in the country.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis appreciated Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar for his efforts to get approval of more than 90 percent of state's own demands from GST council.
“As of today, around 12 to 13 states have ratified GST bill in one day’s session. However, Maharashtra is the only state wherein legislators discussed the bill for three days before ratifying it,” said Fadnavis.
He added, “The only reason behind the three-day session was to formulate the best out of the GST Bill.”
Fadnavis appreciated the efforts taken to compensate the local municipal corporations.
“We are the only state that has passed a separate bill for compensating the municipal corporations to secure their financial autonomy,” said the chief minister.
We are the only state that has passed a separate bill for compensating the municipal corporations to secure their financial autonomy. We are a step closer to 'One Nation, One Tax'. Chief Minister Fadnavis
He also thanked the opposition party members for supporting to pass GST bill. Fadnavis termed the day as 'historic' and said, “We are a step closer to 'One Nation, One Tax'.
Meanwhile, in his reply, Mungantiwar clarified that (Narendra) Modi was not against GST when he was the chief minister of Gujarat.
Nationalist Congress Party leader Jayant Patil, during the debate on Sunday, had alleged that Modi had opposed the bill which was first introduced by Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in 2009.
Dhananjay Munde, the leader of opposition in Council House demanded to keep that the interests of all stakeholders are upheld while approving the GST Bill.
“The provision to arrest traders and seize goods from them is not in benefit of traders and hence it should be removed from the Bill,” Munde demanded.
After GST, the right to impose tax on petrol, diesel and liquor will be assigned to state, it will possibly increase in smuggling and black marketing, he feared. However, Mungantiwar refused possibilities of rise of such situation after GST.