The Goods and Services Tax that seeks to replace all indirect taxes, with a uniform levy has already been approved by the Lok Sabha and was in last session referred to a Rajya Sabha Select Committee.
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The GST bill was originally written by Congress, which ruled India for a decade before being defeated by Modi past year.
Protesting the introduction of GST bill, the Congress wants changes in the bill, which it says has been diluted to win support from states.
The government put the bill today list of business in the upper house but proceedings were adjourned repeatedly as members of the opposition Congress party stormed into the well shouting “shut it down”.
So far, the Congress hasn’t allowed any work to be conducted in parliament since session kicked off on June 21.
GST has been touted as the most radical reform measure since Independence that will create a common market across the country and boost growth.
“We have to wait for what Parliament decides on GST”. “It is in self-destruction mode with no support”, added the finance minister.
“I am not pessimistic about it, I am optimistic, I think we can implement GST by beginning of next fiscal…” The opposition said that not consulting the Chief Ministers of states concerned with regard to appointment of Governors to Bihar and Himachal Pradesh as also the signing of the Naga accord demolishes the talk of cooperative federalism.
While the government said the BAC had allotted four hours for debating the bill in the last session, Sharma said it was void as the bill then went to a select committee.
Stating that disruptionist politics is risky both for the Congress and the country, he appealed to the principal opposition party to “see reason and come on the path of cooperation particularly in relation to policies they themselves had at one stage proclaimed”.
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Mani said the revenue neutral rate has not yet been decided and the GST Council will take a final call on it.
