Government moves Goods and Services Tax Bill in Rajya Sabha; Arun Jaitley slams Congress

New Delhi: Government on Tuesday moved for consideration of Rajya Sabha the Constitution amendment bill for introduction of GST but a debate on it was blocked by a vociferous Congress which raised procedural issues.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who moved the much-delayed bill, slammed the Congress, saying the party was raising various issues just to stall the country's growth.

Amid slogan-shouting by Congress members, he said the Congress was using Lalit Modi issue against External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj as a "pretext" to stall the important tax legislation.

Read: Arun Jaitley hits out at Sonia, Rahul Gandhi; says Congress cant digest 2014 defeat

"After the select committee report has come, it has to be cleared in the present session. But unfortunately, the Congress is in a self destruct mode. We do not grudge that. But in the process, it only wants to disrupt India's parliament, but also create obstacles in the path of the national growth," Jaitley told the media here.

"As per the economic consensus, if the GST is introduced the GDP will be boosted. But Congress for some reason doesn't want it. Its policies were a liability on the economy of this country, when the Congress was in government. It continues to be a liability on the economy of this country even when it is in opposition," he added.

Read: GST Bill tabled at Rajya Sabha today, here’s all you need to know

The Finance Minister further said that the Congress party stands isolated today, with almost no political party supporting it in this disruptionist programme. "But it is clear that two leaders have taken their 2014 defeat very badly and therefore they are unable to accept the fact that anybody outside the Gandhi family can also rule this government," he said.

"This kind of disruptionist politics is dangerous both for the Congress and the country. We appeal to the Congress party to see reason and come on a path of corporation particularly in relation to the policies they themselves had at one stage proclaimed," he added.

Amid stormy scenes and vociferous slogan shouting by Congress members, Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said, "This being a Constitution amendment bill, I cannot take up the bill in pandemonium". He then adjourned the House for the day.

A Constitution amendment requires Division of votes for which every member has to be in his or her seat.

The GST that seeks to replace all indirect taxes, with a uniform levy has already been approved by the Lok Sabha and was in last session referred to a Rajya Sabha Select Committee.

Read: GST Bill will be a game-changer

The panel has given its report endorsing majority of the provisions, while suggesting changes in compensation to states and definition of supply for the purpose of states levying additional one percent tax.

The current Monsoon Session of Parliament ends on August 13.

The GST Constitution Amendment Bill is waiting nod of Rajya Sabha, where the ruling NDA does not have a majority.

Read: BJP issues whip asking members to be present in Parliament for next 3 days  

Indirect tax reform GST proposes to create a uniform tax rate across the country by subsuming excise, service tax and other local levies. GST can boost India's GDP by 1-2%.

Opposition Congress has repeatedly disrupted proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, preventing the House from taking up the bill for passage.