Bhubaneswar: The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill will be taken up for discussion in the Odisha Legislative Assembly tomorrow after the members of the house unanimously approved a motion for the same.
Earlier today, Finance minister Sashibhushan Behera introduced the GST Bill 2017 and the VAT amendment Bill. However, having received the copy of the bill right today itself, the Leader of Opposition sought more time.
Subsequently, speaker Pradip Amat adjourned the house till 3 pm and called for a Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting.
After the committee decided to give one more day for the legislators to study the contents of the Bill before holding discussions, the Speaker adjourned the assembly till 10.30 am tomorrow.
“The BAC meeting was fruitful and discussion on the bill will be held on Friday,” Amat told mediapersons.
Meanwhile, in Srinagar, the two-day meeting of the GST Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state representatives finalised the GST rate for all but six out of the 1,211 items on the first day.
Foodgrains, cereals and milk will cost less from July 1 when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is rolled out as the Council today decided to exempt these daily-use commodities from the levy.