India’s premier traders body has criticised India Inc’s suggestion that the government should focus on political consensus for the passage of Goods and Service Tax (GST), saying it would be better if the industry asks Congress to do the same.

“It would have been much better if industry leaders asked the Congress and other political parties opposed to GST, to extend their support to the government in passing legislation in the Rajya Sabha,” said Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT).

Reviewing the two-year performance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi government, the industry had suggested the government to work for political consensus on GST so that the bill could be passed in the Monsoon session.

“It is a well-known fact that since last two years, the government has put all efforts in building consensus on the complex issue but adamant attitude of the Congress and not allowing discussion on the GST Bill in Rajya Sabha has proved the biggest impediment in passing the legislation,” CAIT Secretary General Praveen Khandelwal said.

B C Bhartia, National President of CAIT, suggested that both trade and industry organisation should form a joint coalition to take this issue forward with all political parties and impressing upon them to pave smooth passage for GST Bill in the next session of Parliament so that by next fiscal year, the GST could be implemented in the country.

“However, once the bill is passed in Parliament, the concerns of trade and industry could be raised with the government in order to have a simplified and rationalised GST tax structure in the country to ensure better self compliance and widening of tax base,” he said.