Just ahead of GST roll out, Karnataka has introduced a Bill to implement GST in just a month’s time. The Bill ‘Karnataka Goods and Services Tax Bill, 2017’ was tabled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who holds the finance portfolio on Wednesday in the ongoing session to facilitate the roll out of GST. So far, 24 States and Union Territories have passed the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) Act in their respective legislative Assemblies. This Bill was introduced based on the GST Constitutional amendment to pass SGST Bill by September 15, 2017, failing which they will lose their taxation powers. Karnataka is one among the seven States that are yet to pass the SGST law.
As the Chief Minister introduced the Bill, JD(S) members raised questions about it and demanded that the Government “enlighten” the members about the contents and the need for such bill. Responding to this, Siddaramaiah said “GST aims to bring one uniform tax across the country, the Bill that we have introduced today is just a formality as the GST Bill has already been passed by the lok Sabha, after having due consultations with all States.”
JD(S) legislator YSV Datta and Shivalinge Gowda argued that the contents of GST and its impact on the State’s finances should be made known to the members. “We don’t know GST and how it works; Government should give details to us about it and its impact on the State. We cannot approve the Bill as a formality," Gowda said.
Opposition BJP leader Jagdish Shettar advised the Government to conduct a workshop like session for MlAs by experts, as the one being organised for the council members by the council’s Chairman. Both Chief Minister and Speaker KB Koliwad agreed to organise a similar workshop like session to MlAs.