Naidu seeks support for GST bill, Congress points to its concerns

Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday sought opposition parties' help in passing the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in parliament's winter session beginning November 26.

As he urged the opposition parties not to go by political considerations on the GST Bill, the Congress said the government should address its "pro-consumer" concerns on the bill.

"I appeal to political parties not to have political considerations and think in terms of national interest," he said here.

Naidu said the GST Bill was the need of the hour, as it had been pending for several years.

Naidu said he was discussing the issue with some opposition parties and their meaningful suggestions could also be taken into consideration.

The GST Bill intends to simplify the indirect tax regime in the country, broaden the tax base and result in better tax compliance due to a robust IT infrastructure.

The bill has been pending in the Rajya Sabha where the National Democratic Alliance government lacks majority.

Congress leader R.P.N. Singh told reporters here that the government should address the party's concerns which were in favour of consumers.

Singh said the bill was brought by the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government but could not be passed, as it was held back due to the stance of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He said the Congress's demands include a cap on the GST rate at 18 percent, deletion of the provision which allows imposition of one percent tax by additional levy, an independent dispute resolution mechanism and compensation to panchayat and urban bodies for loss of revenue along with that to the states.