Bihar assembly passes GST Bill

Patna, Aug 16: The Bihar assembly on Tuesday ratified the Goods and Services Tax Constitution Amendment Bill, which found support from the ruling coalition of JD-U, RJD and Congress as well as the BJP-led opposition.

The CPI(ML), however, opposed the GST Bill -- its three members walked out of the assembly which convened for a special day-long session to consider the legislation, officials said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told the assembly that the GST Bill will benefit the state as well as the Centre.

"Bihar has been supporting GST Bill for the past decade. We are supporting it for simplification of tax system to help the people," he said.

According to experts, the government, led by Nitish Kumar, has taken special interest in passing the GST Bill because Bihar is likely to get an additional revenue of about Rs 8,000-9,000 crore depending on the rate to be fixed once the legislation becomes law.

The state government's revenues have declined after it imposed total liquor ban in Bihar in April.

Bihar has become the second state in the country after Assam to ratify the GST Bill.

The Bill has been passed by the two chambers of parliament and now needs to be passed by at least 15 of the 29 state assemblies to become law.

IANS