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Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar (2nd from left) along with other officers during the awareness programme of GST in Imphal.[/caption]
Imphal, May 29 (EMN): Manipur government has urged to include state’s favourite food items Ngari or dried and fermented fish and other Manipuri handloom products in the list of Goods & Service Tax (GST) when the new tax system comes into force in country from July 1 this year.
Speaking during the awareness campaign on goods and service tax in Imphal today, Deputy Chief Minister Y Joykumar proposed to exempt tax from Ngari, dried and fermented fish against the Council’s decision to impose 5% GST on coastal marine dried fish. All farm products will be levied 0% GST.
Joykumar Singh who holds Finance portfolio said, the new tax regime which is going to be rolled out across the country from 1st July this year will also benefit the State in many ways. The uniform tax regime will mend the loopholes in tax collection avenues and also cover the tax revenue lapses he added.
Citing about the discussions made in the 14th GST Council Meeting held at Srinagar on May 18-19, he said, he had proposed to keep the Handloom Sector at 0 percent tax slab which is the lowest among the five different tax slabs in GST. However, the Council observed it to be discussed again in its 15th meeting to be held in New Delhi on June 2-3 next.
Seeking cooperation from masses for the new tax regime, he said a dissemination workshop for the Legislators will be held here on Tuesday for speedy passage of the GST Bill which is going to be introduced in the State Assembly on June 2 this year.
Chief Commissioner (Customs, Central Excise & Service Tax ) Shillong Zone S K Panda while speaking in the session said, GST will become the only uniform tax all over the country after independence.
Commissioner (Finance) Vivek kumar Dewangan said, after passing the GST Bill which is going to be introduced in the Manipur Legislative Assembly on 2nd of June this year, the State will become as one of the State which have passed the bill. He said, GST Campaign which was held under the aegis of Commissioner of Central Excise & Service Tax, Shillong, Government of India and Department of Taxes, Government of Manipur,will also be conducted in the district level.
Ngari as an important ingredient in making delicious Manipuris delicacies such as vegetable stew, chilli chutney or salad and vegetable or fish cake it added.
