State Cabinet Approves AP GST Bill Draft

The State Cabinet has approved the Andhra Pradesh GST Bill (SGST) , 2017 draft. It will be tabled in the special Assembly session that will be held today. The Assemblies are being held to pass the Bills before rolling out the new tax regime in July.

The GST is being touted as the biggest reform to pave the way for a unified indirect tax market. The Cabinet also approve a 50% salary hike for contract employees of the various departments after the recommended was put in by the Group of Ministers. The hike will only be applicable to those drawing in less than Rs 12,000 per month, according to the pay scale fixed by the Pay Revision Commission of 2010.

From April 1 the hike would have a retrospective effect and will create Rs 200 crore on the government. The Cabinet has cleared the filling of 73 posts in the AP Integrated Irrigation & Agricultural Transformation Project. They have also cleared 22 posts in the Eastern Power Distribution Company Limited and GVMC. 20 posts are cleared in the Panchayat Raj Department, 18 in Roads & Buildings, 17 in Forest Departments and nine in VUDA.

The Cabinet has also approved the appointment of 88 staff members in the ‘Peshis’ of the newly inducted Ministers. Apart from that, approval has been given for the AP Sports Policy 2017-22 for creating the infrastructure to nurture sporting skills.