Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Assembly witnessed noisy scenes during zero hour today over the levy of GST on puffed rice and flattened rice.
Raising the issue during zero hour, Congress members rushed into the well of the House shouting slogans demanding withdrawal of GST on puffed rice and flattened rice as these are food of the poor.
The demand for withdrawal of GST on these items was raised by Congress MLAs Suresh Routray, Tara Prasad Bahinipati and Santosh Singh Saluja. The issue was also raised by BJD member Amar Prasad Satpathy.
The Congress members dubbed the levy of GST on puffed rice and flattened rice as a big blow to the poor.
They demanded the formation of a committee to find a solution to the issue. They said the committee will appraise the GST Commission and Prime Minister of the issue.
Finance Minister Niranjan Pujari informed that only packaged and labelled puffed rice would attract GST, therefore it will have no impact on customers and traders in rural areas these items which are sold in loose.
Unable to run the House due to the ruckus by Congress MLAs, the Speaker adjourned the House till 4 PM.
