Puducherry Assembly passes GST Bill

A help desk had been set up in Commercial Taxes Department to address woes of traders

Congress-ruled Puducherry, on Wednesday, unanimously passed the Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2017.

The bill was tabled in the assembly by Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, which was passed after a debate. During the debate, members of the Assembly had asked the government to ensure that there was no setback to the revenue flow to the Puducherry Government in the wake of implementation of the GST.

He added that the new tax regime would prevent tax evasion.

The Puducherry government was keen that there be no disadvantageous impact on the Union territory with the implementation of the GST.

Highlighting the features of the GST, CM Narayanswamy said that already 80 per cent of the traders have expressed willingness to migrate to the new tax regime.

The Parliament, on April 6 had passed four legislations to pave the way for nationwide roll-out of GST from July 1.

A help desk had been set up in the Commercial Taxes Department to address the woes of the traders and others covered under the GST.

On the two-day meeting of the GST Council to commence under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister tomorrow in Delhi, Narayanasamy said, "It is a crucial meeting as it would decide which commodity will fall in which tax bracket."