GUWAHATI, April 15: �It is a matter of great pride that Assam became the first state in the country to ratify the constitution amendment bill on the Goods and Services Tax (GST)�, expressed Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Revenue Secretary, Government of India and Secretary of GST Council today while attending the programme, GST- Manthan held at Pragjyoti ITA Centre in Guwahati. He further informed that the President of India gave his assent to the four GST bills, namely, the Central Goods and Services Tax Bill (CGST), the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill (IGST) the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation to States) Bill and the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax Bill (UTGST). Dr. Adhia added, �With the implementation of the GST Bills, India is going to be a national economic market like other developed countries�. He further stated, �GST is the biggest Tax reform after the post independence era�. Dr. Adhia informed that the Government will undertake reach-out programmes in the month of April, May and June, 2017 for generating awareness on GST in the State. He said that today�s is the first reach out programme that started from Guwahati.
During his speech, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, Finance Minister, Government of Assam said, �GST is not only the biggest tax reform in the country, but will bring in a sea change in the general administration scenario�. He added that with zero paper work and no personal interface, GST is going to bring a revolutionary and positive change in the taxation system. Dr. Sarma remarked, �With the implementation of GST, now unity will be celebrated throughout the Country in lieu of diversity�. Dr. Sarma further added in the State GST Bills will be placed before the Assam Legislative Assembly in its session in May, 2017.
Dr. Ravi Kota, Commissioner and Secretary, Finance Department, Government of Assam delivered the welcome address in the programme.
Anurag Goyal, Commissioner of Taxes, Government of Assam offered a brief presentation on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
VB Pyarelal, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Assam, Finance Department; and the Chief Commissioner of Central Excise, Customs and Service Taxes for North-eastern Region also attended the programme along with other dignitaries.
It may be mentioned that the programme was organised by Commissionerate of Taxes, Government of Assam in Association with all industry, trade and professional associations of the State to generate awareness on the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
