Nod to civic Act amendment, GST

SHILLONG: The State cabinet on Tuesday approved amendment in the 1973 Municipal Act to enable the government to assess property tax, especially from buildings in civic areas.
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Urban and Municipal Affairs Minister Ronnie V Lyngdoh said the Amendment Act will be introduced in the upcoming autumn session of the Assembly.
The amendment of the Meghalaya     Municipal Act, 1973, and framing of the assessment of the annual rateable value of holding under the self-assessment system in Shillong Municipal Road Rule, 2013, was approved by the cabinet, but this will be introduced in the upcoming session for debate.
The cabinet had on two occasions discussed the matter, but the amendment was approved on Tuesday’s meeting.
Hotels and guest houses, among others, will come under the unit area-based self-assessment system for property taxation in urban local bodies.
Govt to bring resolution to ratify GST Bill
The State cabinet has approved the Constitution (122 amendment) (GST) Bill, 2014, with an aim to ratify the same in the upcoming autumn session of the Assembly by way of passing a resolution.
The Bill that aims at “one nation one tax regime” has been cleared by both houses of Parliament.
Briefing reporters after the cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Tuesday that the government would bring a resolution as it is mandatory for the respective State assemblies to ratify the Bill.
When asked about the implications of GST to Meghalaya, the Chief Minister said, “We do not foresee any revenue drop though initial challenges will be there”.