Overall consensus reached on GST: BJP

In a move that may end the political deadlock over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, the government today indicated that an overall consensus has been reached on the same.

"The government is holding discussions with all parties. An overall consensus has been reached on the GST. If anybody has any suggestion or problem or amendment, then that will come up in the discussion of the House," Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told ANI.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had yesterday said his party is ready to talk to the government on the GST Bill, even as there are differences with the government on three major issues.

"Though the Congress Party wants the GST, it should be simplified," he said, adding that the BJP's stand is different from his party.

The GST, which will include more than a dozen state levies to create a single market, is to be implemented from April 1, 2016. But the deadline may be missed if the Parliament does not pass the Constitution Amendment Bill in the upcoming Winter Session.

The Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha in May this year and is awaiting clearance from the Rajya Sabha where the ruling NDA lacks majority.

The government is reaching out to parties in the opposition on the GST, including looking at the possibility of incorporating some of the changes proposed by the Congress.