Kolkata, Aug 4 (KNN) The West Bengal government on Thursday introduced the West Bengal Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2023 in the Assembly. 

Tabling the bill, Chandrima Bhattacharya, Minister of State for Finance (Independent charge) said the Bill would help the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector to grow in the state.

Voicing her concern on the rise in online gaming addiction among children and youth, the Minister said Bengal had decided to go ahead with the Centre’s move to levy 28% tax on online gaming.

The GST Council, in a divided decision, decided to amend central and state laws from 1 October to ensure that 28% GST is paid on the full value of amounts deposited by players for betting on online games, casinos, and horse races. 

“Many BJP-ruled states, including Uttar Pradesh, have supported West Bengal’s stand of imposing 28% tax on online gaming though few others argued against it,” the minister said.

She added the state would put its whole machinery to use to ensure that online gaming is taxed.  (KNN Bureau)