(Image source from: GST bill to be cleared})

In major relief for the NDA government, Congress has assured that it will support the Goods and Services Tax bill, which means it will clear the parliament with the two-thirds majority which is needed for a constitutional amendment. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in Parliament, "I beseech you, clear GST," while appealing to the opposition parties not to stall the legislation that will give effect to a unified tax regime in the country. He appealed that all parties have to come together in national interest and suggested that the GST Bill should not be sent to a parliamentary committee for review anymore. The Finance Minister stressed that any more delay in passing the bill, which changes the constitution, would mean setting back GST by another year as the deadline of April 2016 for a roll-out cannot be met.

Senior Congress leader Veerappa Moily said his party will support the GST bill because it was the idea of his government, which was led by the Congress. "This bill has gone through the standing committee for two and a half years; it has been before dozens and dozens of empowered committees. Only then has a consensus happened. I beseech you rise above party considerations," Mr Jaitley said in the House, also pointing out that “If all our CMs agree why are we delaying it? And that means your states will suffer."

The Budget Session for the Lok Sabha ends in three days. The Rajya Sabha will close on May 18.  A vote on the bill is expected tomorrow in Lok Sabha after a discussion.

By Premji