GST bill to be tabled in Rajya Sabha today as Congress steps up pressure
Opposition Congress has prevented the House from taking up the bill for passage
New Delhi: The government will bring on Tuesday the much-awaited Goods and Services Tax, GST, bill in the Rajya Sabha even as doubts persist if the main opposition Congress will allow its passage.
The Revised List of Business of Rajya Sabha said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will move the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2014, incorporating recommendations made by a House Select Committee.
Jaitley will also move that the Bill be passed, it said.
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.
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.
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.