Odisha has registered a growth of 2.3 per cent in tax collection after implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) in July this year. Odisha Finance minister S B Behera informed this while replying to a question in the assembly today. Behera further said the Centre has provided the Odisha government Rs 1,020 crore on account of loss of tax after GST implementation. But, the 12 per cent tax still persists on Sambalpuri sarees priced above Rs 1,000, the minister said. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exempt handicraft products from GST, Behera said adding that he has also raised the issue in the GST council meeting.

Source: Indian Express December 04, 2017 14:09 UTC