Parrikar lauds PM Modi's efforts to implement GST

Lauding Prime Minister Modi's efforts in achieving consensus over the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said all parties have 'finally' realised the importance of the new tax regime.

"Under the previous government, no provision was made for losses. This government has provisioned a situation of losses as well. It is all because of the efforts of our Prime Minister," he said.

Supporting his stance, Micheal Lobo, deputy speaker of the Goa Assembly, said the introduction of the GST will largely promote tourism in the state.

"In place of a variety of taxes, there will be only one. This will give the much-needed boost to the tourism sector here in Goa," he said.

However, the opposition questioned the current government asking why the consensus was not achieved under the previous regime, when the bill was originally proposed.

"Our former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh introduced this bill. The same ministers who had opposed it then are now enforcing its implementation. I want to ask them, where were they then?" said Congress MLA Alex Reginald.

The Goa Assembly in a special session on Tuesday unanimously passed the 'revolutionary' GST Bill.

Earlier, the Rajya Sabha passed four GST Bills without amendments setting the stage for the government for the launch on July 1.

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the GST would lead to new tax regime.

The four bills passed on April 6 - the Central GST bill, the Integrated GST bill, the Union Territories GST bill and the compensation law - have already been cleared by the Lok Sabha, where the government enjoys majority.

The GST rates will be deliberated by the GST Council on May 18-19.