Govt shows intent to pass GST Bill this session

The government on Thursday listed the goods and services tax (GST) constitutional amendment Bill as part of its legislative agenda for the Lok Sabha when the House meets on Tuesday, after a four-day break. It also listed the land acquisition Bill and the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill as part of its agenda for the Lok Sabha next week.

The fate of the GST constitutional amendment Bill seems uncertain, with the Congress and some other parties, including the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, the Left parties, the Biju Janata Dal and the Trinamool Congress, likely to insist it be referred to a parliamentary standing committee. Together, these parties have 146 members in the Lok Sabha.

The government is, however, confident of mustering two-thirds majority to ensure passage of the Bill in the Lower House. It needs 361 votes to ensure the Bill is passed, if all 542 MPs (excluding the Speaker) vote. A constitutional amendment needs two-thirds majority, as well as the presence of more than half of the current strength of a House.

BJP president Amit Shah on Thursday said he was confident Opposition parties would vote for the Bill.

Senior ministers say the government will be able to persuade the Congress to support the Bill in the Rajya Sabha, given the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had pushed for it. When the Bill is taken up by the Upper House, the government might even agree to a time-bound select committee to study the Bill, as in the case of the insurance and mines and minerals Bills.

The Lok Sabha is scheduled to function until May 8, while the Rajya Sabha will be in session till May 13. The government believes it will meet little resistance in ensuring the passage of the Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets (Imposition of Tax) Bill in the two Houses.

The land Bill, though listed by the government, looks unlikely to be passed during this session, as nearly all Opposition parties are opposed to it. The government is banking on the Rajya Sabha rejecting the Bill so that it can convene a joint session of Parliament. But the Opposition is set to demand it be referred to a select committee.

The Rajya Sabha is also slated to take up a Bill to ratify the land boundary agreement that the UPA government had reached with Bangladesh in 2011.