Passage of GST bill could be tough as Cong rejects measures

Passage of the key reform measure GST bill could be a tough task with the Congress tonight rejecting the measure approved by the Union Cabinet saying it is "pitted with compromises, exclusions and exceptions," defeating the very purpose of bringing it.
"Goods and Services Bill approved by Union Cabinet today is pitted with compromises, exclusions and exceptions defeating the sole purpose of ensuring a common market through 'Goods and Services Tax'.
"Obstinacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and arrogance of BJP Government in not accepting valid, meaningful and logically implementable suggestions of Congress Party is leading to introduction of a GST Bill, which undermines the very purpose of GST," party spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.

Congress, AIADMK and Left parties have filed dissent notes on the report of Rajya Sabha Select Committee citing several reasons for not supporting the Constitution Amendment Bill for rolling out GST in its current form. Congress had given five amendments, which were not accepted by the government.
Surjewala's reaction came soon after the Cabinet approved amendments to the GST bill to compensate states for revenue loss for five years on introduction of the uniform nationwide indirect tax regime, as has been suggested by Rajya Sabha Select Committee.
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this evening agreed to the recommendation made by the Select Committee on compensation to states to win over support of regional parties like TMC of West Bengal and Odisha's BJD in getting the landmark Constitution Amendment approved by the Upper House where the ruling NDA does not have a majority.

The amendment approved by the Cabinet on compensation seeks to give an assurance to states for making up for revenue loss they may suffer in first five years of introduction of GST.
Surjewala said that Congress was a strong advocatory of a nationwide simple and comprehensive 'Good and Services Tax' aimed at propelling economic growth and facilitating trade.
"GST Bill, 2011 was introduced by previous Congress Government with this purpose. Obdurate Parliamentary obstructionism followed by BJP, particularly Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, led to Nation not being able to reap the benefit of a common GST," he said.