Himachal Pradesh which is mainly a consumer state and depends on the external supply of food grains and other essential commodities today hailed the clearance of GST bill in the upper house of parliament yesterday. On the side lines of a function at Ridge today, Chief Minister Mr. Virbhadra Singh said that the State hailed the step as the Government was in its favour to bring the legislations in the Parliament.
“Centre has taken the consent of the State Government before bringing this bill in the Parliament with all states and Himachal Pradesh has hailed the GST after keeping its benefit in mind since this bill was cleared by the upper house yesterday. It is a welcoming step and state hailed it” the HP Chief Minister responded to the clearing of legislations and new tax regime.
It is worthwhile to mention here that Upper house cleared GST Bill is claimed as a major step to reform tax regime in the country since Independence. A local resident Dr. Harish Sharma told that GST is likely to bring down the prices of certain Commodities and certain capital goods as it is expected to become cheaper by 12-14 per cent. He said that reducing the prices of raw material is likely to push up the production and demand in the market considering as major boost up for investment thereby economic growth.
The economy of this hill state depends upon the supply of all essential goods and food items from Punjab and other north western states as more than 60 per cent of the State area is under forest cover.
