Shillong, Nov 2: The Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) would soon write to the state government to make the state finance commission functional to ensure that the three district councils in the state get revenue share under the new tax regime.

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, KHADC chief executive member, P.N. Syiem said that other states which follow the panchayati raj system, have a state commission which ensure that the revenue share between the Centre and the state is also extended to panchayats.

However in Meghalaya, he said, “it seems that the state finance commission is yet to be made functional. We would soon write to the state government to ensure that revenue share under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is also extended to the three autonomous district councils in the state through the state finance commission,” Syiem said adding, if panchayats can enjoy the benefits, then why not here in the Sixth Schedule areas.

Syiem also pointed out that there was no clear provision under the Sixth Schedule on extending financial assistance to the district councils and called for amending the Sixth Schedule by including members from the ADCs in the SFC.

He also expressed concern over various problems being faced with regards to the implementation of the new tax.

“GST is a beautiful initiative of the Central government, but its implementation is too complicated and there is a need to simplify the process. Because of different rates of tax under GST, this has overburdened the small traders. Filing of returns three times in a month is also creating a lot of problem for the people,” he said while stressing that the rates under GST should be made reasonable.