Assam has become the first state to ratify Constitution Amendment Bill related to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), following its passage by both houses of Parliament said Chief Minister Sarbanada Sonowal. Hailing the GST as a revolutionary bill, Sonowal said the new tax regime will benefit the common people of the country.
At least 50 percent of the states have to pass the Constitution 122 Amendment Bill, 2014, for the next steps of legislative action to follow to ultimately introduce a pan-India Goods and Services Tax regime.
About GST
The GST Bill was passed in Rajya Sabha with the thumping majority of 203 votes. The amendments to the Goods and Services Tax bill were cleared by the Lok Sabha unanimously on August 8. The earlier bill, which was passed in 2015 in Lok Sabha, was finally passed in the Rajya Sabha last week months after Opposition parties led by the Congress demanded certain changes in the bill.
The GST is aimed at bringing uniform tax regime in the country by subsuming state levies. Under it, a single rate of GST will replace various taxes to ensure seamless transfer of goods and services.
About Assam
- Chief Minister: Sarbanada Sonowal.
- Capital: Dispur
- Governor: Padmanaba balakrishna Acharya
National parks in Assam
- Manas National Park
- Kaziranga National Park
- Nameri National Park
- Orang National Park
Wildlife sanctuary in Assam
- Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary
- Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dibru Saikhowa National Park
- Gibon Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bura-Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
