ASSAM: GST DISTORTING DEVEPLOPMENT IN THE STATE

The hoohah of GST has shown adverse results since its inception

The new tax regime celebrating its first anniversary on July 1 has been upseting, giving a setback on revenue collections effecting development.

The effects of it could be felt in all quarters when Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya discarded the decision to regularize the service of the teachers appointed in contractual basis against the prior promise of the former education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma citing low revenue collection to be one of the Prime reasons.According to reports the new tax regime collects 500 to 550 thousand crores of revenue every month, suffering a set back of nearly 350 crores compared to revenue collections Pre GST. Thus the inconsistencies in revenue trends has detered the government to engage in better developmental activities and also halting of various concrete projects.

The Chief Minister of Assam Sarbananda Sonowl himself mentioned the ill effects of GST at the meeting of the 15th Pay Commission held in Guwahati on 26th April. He stated " There is an estimated 15-20% loss when collections are compared to expected revenue on month to month basis. I hope situation will improve in months to come"

Thus the most awaited and gaudily treated GST has no goodies in store for Assam