Odisha to convene special Assembly session to ratify GST Bill

A special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly will be held on September 1 for ratification of the 122th Constitutional Amendment Bill (GST).

A proposal in this effect was approved at a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.

The cabinet also approved another proposal to defer the beginning of the Monsoon session of the Assembly from September 7 to September 21, Chief Secretary A P Padhi told reporters here.

"The state cabinet has decided today to place the Constitution Amendment Bill (GST) before the state legislature on September 1 for ratification. A one-day special session of the Assembly will be convened for the purpose," Padhi said.

Stating that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Constitution Amendment Bill needs to be ratified by at least 50 per cent of the state legislatures, Padhi said it was an important milestone in the reforms of indirect taxes in the country. The Government of Odisha is in favour of the GST, he pointed out.

"It will bring uniform tax rate throughout the country and help in seamless movement of goods and services across the states," he said.

On the deferment of the Assembly Monsoon session, Padhi said the decision was taken keeping in view of the ensuing Nuakhai festival in Western Odisha.

"The cabinet decided to defer the beginning of the Monsoon session of the state Assembly from September 7 to September 21 and will have ten working days as decided earlier," he said.

Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra, in a letter to the Assembly Speaker, had also requested to defer the Monsoon session in view of the Nuakhai festival.