The State Legislative Assembly on Monday passed the Tamil Nadu Good and Services Tax Bill, 2017, enabling the transition to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
The Bill was passed in the absence of the DMK, whose members staged a walkout from the Assembly moments before the Bill was put to a vote.
Leader of the Opposition M.K. Stalin, during the discussion on the Bill, wanted it to be referred to a select committee for review before being taken up for voting. As the government did not respond favourably, members of the principal opposition party staged a walkout.
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During the course of the debate, opposition parties raised a number of issues including the high tax rate on items like pens, pencils and women’s products and the cascading effect of high fuel prices on other products, among others.
Responding to the concerns raised by various members, Finance Minister D. Jayakumar said that there was no need to worry about the implications of the GST regime, as there is always the opportunity to review it at the GST council.