Tamil Nadu, Himachal promise to pass S-GST bills soon

Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh today promised to take steps for early passage of GST bills, while Odisha expressed concerns over calculation of compensation to the states for loss of revenue.
The central government proposes to roll out Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from July 1 for which all states would be required to pass State GST (S-GST) bills. Several states have already passed S-GST bills.
Addressing the third meeting of the Niti Aayog's Governing Council here, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that his government would soon place the S-GST bill in the assembly for consideration and passage.

The chief minister also sounded a note of caution, saying Tamil Nadu should not be allowed to suffer for want of compensation for loss of revenue on account of implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
The GST, which will subsume central excise, service tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) and other local levies, will be rolled out from July 1.
"A historic reform of indirect taxes in India has been achieved with the passage of the Central GST (C-GST), Integrated GST (I-GST) and GST Compensation Acts in Parliament. The Tamil Nadu GST bill will be placed before the state legislative assembly shortly," Palaniswami said.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh also said that steps were being taken to pass the HPGST law.

He further said that GST workshops and seminars were being conducted and help desk was being established which would play an essential role in addressing problems of dealers.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raised concerns over the issue of calculation of compensation in the GST regime and asked the Centre to resolve the matter.
Patnaik added: "Odisha has actively participated in the deliberations of the GST Council. We are on course to enact necessary State GST legislation."
In his speech, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaih said the GST has forged a new model of cooperative decentralisation in the country.

"The GST has shown us that states and the Centre can come together and reach a consensus in the best national interest even on such complex issues," he said.
Noting that an important aspect in the successful and sustainable implementation of the GST is compensation to states for loss of revenue, the Karnataka Chief Minister said, "The timely release of compensation to states under the GST will be an important factor in ensuring that the relationship of mutual trust is maintained between the Centre and the states."
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said his state is matching the Central government step-by-step in implementing its visionary programmes and initiatives.

Rupani said Gujarat has achieved a sustained high growth in agriculture sector with a marked development in horticulture and cash crops.
Uttar Preadesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said his state in collaboration with the Centre would work for the welfare of all sections of the society.
Yogi further said Uttar Pradesh will focus on development of infrastructure with a view to promote growth.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, in her address, made a case for keeping Kota stone, marble, sandstone and granite in the lower slab of 5 per cent under the GST.
Tax rates on various goods and services will be decided by the GST Council on the recommendation of the Fitment Committee.

"Kota stone, marble, sandstone and granite are taxed at higher rates in other states. The Fitment Committee might decide to fit... (these products) in higher tax slabs.
"I request for consideration of putting marble, Kota Stone, sandstone and granite in lower slab of 5 per cent," Raje said while speaking at the third meeting of the Niti Aayog's Governing Council here.
While the GST Council has decided on a four-tier rate structure of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent, its Fitment Committee will devise a formula for tax rate to be levied on different products and services under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime from July.

Raje further said, "To ensure that every resident is empowered to improve quality of life, we are in process of development of 'Khush-hali Index' based on transactional real time data.