The discussion on the Odisha Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2017, and the Odisha Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2017, will be held in the Odisha Assembly on Friday.
The two Bills were introduced by Finance Minister Sashi Bhusan Behera when the two-day special session of the House began on Thursday morning. The proceedings, however, were adjourned till 3 p.m. after the Opposition sought more time to study the contents of the Bills before discussion on the issues involved. The issue was then discussed in the Business Advisory Committee of the Assembly.
When the House reassembled at 3 p.m., Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat announced that the Advisory Committee had decided both Bills will be taken up for discussion on Friday and adjourned the House for the day.
While introducing the Bills, Mr. Behera said that one tax structure would prevail across the country as for the new Goods and Services Tax that has been passed in Parliament.
He said that the Odisha Goods and Services Tax Bill provides provisions to levy tax on all inter-State supply of goods or services except supply of liquor for human consumption at a rate to be notified as recommended by the Goods and Services Tax Council.
More time sought
Leader of Opposition Narasingha Mishra of Congress then raised objections stating that the Bills were being pushed through in a hurry without giving adequate time for the members to go through their contents, and sought more time for the legislators.
