The Chhattisgarh assembly unanimously ratified the 122nd Amendment Bill for Goods and Services Tax (GST) after it was tabled for discussion on Monday. The BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh convened a special one-day session to ratify the bill, which is aimed at bringing a uniform tax regime in the country. The opposition Congress reiterated that the standard rate of GST should not be more than 18%. “Our only concern is that the interests of Chhattisgarh should not be compromised by the framework of the bill,” Leader of Opposition in the assembly, TS Singhdeo, said. The GST Bill needs to be ratified by at least 15 state legislatures before the President can notify the GST Council which will decide the new tax rate and other issues.

Source: Hindustan Times August 22, 2016 16:30 UTC