SHILLONG, Nov 19: Tura BJP MDC, Bernard N Marak, on Thursday staged a walkout from 
the GHADC session hall during the presentation of a bill to amend the TNT tax rates.
In a statement, Marak said the bill is discreetly aimed to make GST applicable in the GHADC.
“Furthermore, there was no proper clarification by the Executive Member of Taxation, Grahambell Sangma, in spite of query put before him some months ago,” he said, adding, “They did not provide a proper clarification and are trying to approve the bill which will dilute GHADC as an Autonomous Council, as GHADC does not fall under GST.”
Further justifying his move, Marak said another reason for the walkout was the targetting of small-time businessmen.
“The bill was being presented now when in reality GHADC has imposed these rates on the traders long before the bill was approved. The bill aimed to triple the amounts paid by the traders in some cases whereas the big companies get to pay less. Moreover, there was no consultation by the concerned Executive Member of GHADC in-charge of Taxation,” Marak rued.