MUMBAI: While discussing the GST bill in the legislative council, members of the opposition demanded that the state government ensure that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) the richest corporation in the country get a special package toovercome the financial challenges that GST will pose for it.Dhananjay Munde, leader of the opposition said that since Maharashtra is one of top producer and service providing state, the initial years of GST will cause a massive financial loss for it. The consuming states will welcome GST, because it benefits them, but this will cause loss for Maharashtra.
“BMC earns a revenue of Rs 7000 crore from octroi should be compensated. For the BMC octroi is a source of daily revenue and this will be changed once GST is implemented. The state government must ensure devolution of funds directly to the BMC rather than coming to the state and then state government disbursing it,” said Munde
Maharashtra legislature is having a special sitting on Monday to ratify the GST bill.
Shiv Sena leader, Neelam Gorhe, said that while supporting the bill, there is a lot of apprehension over the effect the bill would have on the BMC and the state. “There is a lot of confusion, the state government should ensure that the transition between the current taxation model and GST should be smooth,” said Gorhe.