THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Assembly on Thursday passed the Kerala GST Bill, 2017, paving the way for the roll out of GST regime. Finance Minister Thomas Isaac moved the report of the Subject Committee on the Bill in the House and the Bill was passed by voice vote. The Assembly also passed Kerala Motor Vehicles Taxation (Amendment) Bill, 2017.
Replying to the discussion on GST, Isaac agreed to the criticism prices of essential commodities have not reduced post GST implementation. He said the Centre was having a lackadaisical attitude towards the state’s apprehension over price hike. He expressed hope the issues related to GST would be resolved. When VAT was introduced earlier, there were similar issues and it took almost a year to resolve it, he said. Noting price hike was a reality, he said the apprehension of the state government over price hike and the confusion prevailing in certain sectors will be taken up in the next GST meet. Isaac said if any of the sector faces any challenge, it can be rectified through budget provision.