VIJAYAWADA: Despite Opposition YSRC’s attempts to stall the proceedings, the AP Legislative Assembly passed the State Goods Service Tax (SGST) Bill, which is part of the GST Bill, at a special session on Tuesday.
As soon as the Legislative Assembly met in the morning, members of the Opposition stormed into the well of the House demanding a discussion on farmers’ issue, particularly the plight of chilli growers, who are incurring huge losses due to collapse of market price of chillies.
With Speaker K Siva Prasada Rao allowing Finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu to introduce the SGST Bill, some of the YSRC MLAs went atop the Speaker’s podium.
Holding placards, the opposition MLAs surrounded the Speaker and raised slogans against the government and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for neglecting the farmers’ issues. Amid the sloganeering, the Finance Minister moved the AP Goods and Services Bill-2017.
Terming the GST Bill as yet another reform after the economic reforms, the CM said implementation of GST will bring an uniform taxation policy in the country.
At present, customers are being forced to pay taxes at different levels, but they will get relief from such difficulties after the implementation of GST, he said and predicted that the move would also attract investors as it will curb the menace of corruption at various stages of taxation.
Responding to BJP floor leader P Vishnukumar Raju’s suggestion to the state government to set up a sub-committee involving members to take the grievances of the state to the notice of GST council, the CM said the finance minister would look into the issue.
Lashing out at the YSRC members, Naidu said that though all Opposition parties in the country have supported the GST bill, the YSRC chose to make an attempt to derail the process. Vishnukumar also faulted YSRC for trying to stall business of the House.
“Outside the House, YSRC leaders say they will support GST Bill, but inside the House, they are trying to obstruct the passage of the same bill,” he pointed out.
Act amended for PV Sindhu’s posting
After the GST Bill, the Assembly also passed another Bill amending AP Regulation of Appointments to Public Services and Rationalisation of Staff Pattern and Pay Structure ACT to felicitate appointment of badminton ace and Olympic silver medalist P V Sindhu as deputy collector. The state government, while felicitating Sindhu after her Olympics win, has announced to give her sub-collector post. Now, the appointment can be made through the decision of the State Cabinet.