State govt. set to implement GST"ˆfrom July 1, says CM Siddaramaiah

State govt. set to implement GST"ˆfrom July 1, says CM Siddaramaiah

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the state government is all set to introduce Goods and Service Tax (GST) from July 1.

Siddaramaiah was speaking at the inauguration a building to commemorate the centenary year of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FKCCI) here. He said Karnataka is at the forefront of those states that are implementing the GST from July 1. All the officers have undergone training.

"Earlier, there were 96 types of taxes in the state but after I became the finance minister I introduced only four types of taxes. It is a coincidence that I was the finance minister when Value Added Tax (VAT) was introduced and now when GST is going to be introduced, I hold the Finance portfolio," Siddaramaiah said.

He said the state government has given impetus to industries by introducing a new industrial and start-up policy. The government started a new Skill Development department with a target to train five lakh people. The government has decided to allot industrial land on the lease-cum-sale deed basis instead of giving it on lease for 99 years.

Industries Minister R V Deshpande rued that jobs are not increasing in the manner with which the industries are growing. The effect of Make In India and Start Up India has not yet made any impact. Compared to other states, Karnataka is creating more jobs but still it is far from satisfactory, he added.