Sikkim passes Goods and Services Tax Bill

GANGTOK: Sikkim assembly passed the Sikkim Goods and Services Tax Bill, today to become the the sixteenth state in the country to pass the GST Bill.

The bill along with two others - Sikkim Official Languages (Amendment) Bill and Sikkim Panchayat (Amendment) Bill were placed in the house by Chief Minister Pawan Chamling.

The other two bills were also passed.

In his reply to points raised on the Panchayat (Amendment)Bill by MLA Kunga Nima Lepcha, Chamling welcomed his suggestion to make gram sabhas more inclusive and said the government will take up enhancement of the allowances of the panchayats after the rural bodies election later this year.

Chamling said the Panchayat (Amendment) Bill will further strengthen the panchayati raj institution in Sikkim and give more power and responsibility to the panchayats.

He announced enhancement of old age pension for those between 60-70 years, 70-80 years and 80 years and above, besides pension for unmarried people and the physically challenged and social pension.

He also announced that daily wages of workers would increase to Rs 300 and the changes would come into effect from July 1, 2017.

The government would begin distributing welfare items and grants to beneficiaries from June 4 in all the four districts of the state, he added.