New Delhi: The prospect of an early parliamentary clearance to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on Tuesday brightened after the government began consultation with Opposition leaders.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh indicated that his party could support the Bill if the government accepted the amendments. The government too indicated that it would be open to amendments.
The government is racing against time to get the GST Bill cleared in Parliament to meet the April 2016 rollout deadline. The government is deliberating the reconvene the Monsoon Session at the earliest to clear the GST Bill, which is awaiting the nod of the Rajya Sabha.
Barring the Congress, all other parties have expressed support for the GST Bill, which include the JD(U), Trinamul, AIADMK, BJD and the Samajwadi Party. The government is keen to call the Parliament Session in the first week of September to allow the MPs to canvas for the Bihar elections.
Union minister for parliamentary affairs M. Venkaiah Naidu on Monday met leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. Mr Naidu said that the government has an “open mind” on amendments.
With the global stock meltdown as the backdrop, the government has impressed upon the Congress leader for an urgent need to instill confidence in the investors. Mr Naidu said that the GST Bill is in the national interest. On land Bill, the government seems keen on status quo to prevail.
