The special session of Bihar Assembly will be held on 16th of this month to pass the Goods and Services Tax, GST Bill. The state cabinet has taken decision in this regard this evening. Chief Minister Nitish kumar chaired the meeting. The session will be for one day only.<br/><br/>It may be noted that both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha had passed the GST bill recently. As per constitutional provision before enacting the law of GST, the bill has to be passed by at least 50 percent of the State Assemblies. The GST Bill is aimed at bringing uniform tax regime in the country by subsuming state levies.<br/><br/>Gujarat Assembly will also ratify the Constitution Amendment Bill on GST during its two-day session beginning 22nd of this month. Governor OP Kohli issued notification to call the assembly session. <br/><br/>BJP Chief Whip Pankaj Desai said apart from other business, the Constitution Amendment Bill on Goods and Service Tax (GST) will be tabled in the House for ratification. Mr. Desai said that the bill will be introduced on the first day, whereas the discussion and voting, if necessary, will take place on the next day.<br/><br/>Ahead of the session, the BJP Legislative Party will meet on 21st August to welcome newly-appointed Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel and other cabinet members. Election of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House is also expected to take place during the session.

Water resources Minister Uma Bharti and Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu launched Smart Ganga City Scheme today in ten cities through video conference. <br/><br/>These cities are Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mathura-Vrindavan, Varanasi, Kanpur, Allahabad, Lucknow, Patna, Sahibgunj and Barrackpore. These cities have been chosen in the first phase of National Mission for Clean Ganga for infrastructure development for sewage treatment. <br/><br/>Addressing the function from Ujjain Uma Bharti said that cooperation of Urban Development Ministry is key to the success of Namami Gange programme. She said the involvement of district administration and municipal bodies is also necessary for the success of this program.<br/> <br/>In his address from Hyderabad, Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu assured all possible help for cause of clean Ganga from his Ministry.<br/><br/>Uma Bharti to hold video conference with DMs/Mayors of ten important cities on the banks of river Ganga to discuss the progress of Namami Gange Programme.