The NDA floor management is in full swing to ensure that the goods and services tax (GST) Bill is passed by the Rajya Sabha (RS) in the Monsoon session itself after enjoying the select committee’s majority support. Congress, AIADMK and the left parties have expressed their reservations on different provisions of the GST Bill. In the 245 member Rajya Sabha, it requires two-third members to support the bill and that is not going to be an easy task for the ruling combination.

“The passage of the GST Bill in the Upper House will require 50% of the members to be present and two-third of them voting in favour,” said a source on anonymity, adding that, “Congress may finally not issue a whip to its members to vote against it as the party would not like to be seen as scuttling the tax reform and AIADMK also is expected to agree to a solution which takes care of their revenue concerns in the final Bill”.

The Bill has already been approved by the Lok Sabha and now it has to be taken up for passage in the Rajya Sabha.

By Premji