The State Assembly passed the 122nd Constitutional Amendment Bill with voice votes giving its bit to the Centre to implement a uniform tax regime across the country on Wednesday. Although Opposition leaders did not oppose the Bill during voting, they raised their concerns that the law may benefit the rich and affluent and will increase tax burden on the poor people of Jharkhand.
As Parliamentary Affairs Minister Saryu Roy introduced the Bill in the House in an extended Monsoon Session on Tuesday, he said that the Bill was aimed to end multiple tax system in the country bringing equal relief to the businessmen and consumers. It is also meant to end the unwarranted tax burden on the masses, he added.
Raising concerns on the impact of the GST Bill on developing States like Jharkhand during the conventional debate, Opposition leader Hemant Soren said that it was like extracting the backbone of a State’s economy from it and giving it to the Centre. “If the reigns of economy are in the hands of the Centre, how the federal structure of the Constitution would stand firm,” Hemant asked.
“Many things are not clear about the GST. No analysis has been done by the State Government before bringing it to the floor of the Assembly. Everything is estimating and speculation. It’s a closed box and what impact will it have on the poor and the farmers, is a matter of great concern. Things will be clear when the GST ghost comes out,” Hemant said.
“In all likelihood the tax slab will not remain at 18 per cent. And it will increase. Things consumed by the poor will be expensive. When the Prime Minister was Chief Minister of Gujarat, he had opposed the Bill. This simply means that he knew that the law will not only affect the tax structure of a state but also the federal system of the Constitution,” he added.
The Opposition leader also doubted the monitoring process of GST as prescribed in the Bill. “The fact that the GST will be monitored by a private party makes it clear that the Centre wants to put the economic security of the nation at stake,” he said.
CPI leader Rajkumar Yadav and JVM (P) MlA Pradeep Yadav also raised questions on the Bill. While Rajkumar termed GST as dangerous as terrorism, Pradeep Yadav said that he was not opposing the Bill but he had serious concerns about it. “Before introduction of the Bill in Parliament, it was said that consumers will first be made aware of it. But, today I doubt, even all MPs are aware of the Bill. There is a serious lack of awareness about the Bill and also we are not sure of the quality of services that will be given to us. Even the question of representation in the GST council is a serious one,” said the JVM (P) MlA.
Presenting the Government’s stand, CM Raghubar Das said that the GST Bill would not only tighten noose around the corrupt people but would also bring uniformity in tax collection.
“I want to thank all leaders of Parliament and the State Assembly who have shown extraordinary wisdom by supporting the Bill for national interest. GST will bring investors to Jharkhand. We (Government) will provide all facilities to industries and investors here. Employment opportunities will rain in Jharkhand. People are ready to offer land and we are successful in making an ambience for investment in the State,” Das said.
The Assembly was adjourned sine die after the Bill was passed with voice votes and legislators paid homage to Jharkhand Revolutionary BP Kesri, CRPF Commandant Pramod Kumar of Jamtara and Wireless Operator in Army Shakti Kumar from Chatra district among others.