JOIN USChances of the contentious Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill clearing the Parliament hurdle brightened on Wednesday with the Modi government deciding to reach out to the Opposition and the Congress reciprocating that it would debate with an “open mind”.
The much-delayed GST Bill is topmost on the Modi government’s agenda for the winter session of Parliament beginning Thursday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the first move on Wednesday morning by telling opposition leaders that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will talk to them over concerns on the GST.
In Bengaluru, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said his party “strongly believed” in the GST. “We are ready to be talked to; not thrown away. We are not trying to stall Parliament for the sake of it,” Rahul said addressing college students.
Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Mallikarjun Kharge further articulated Rahul’s thoughts saying they wanted GST rate to be capped at 18 per cent, abolition of one per cent additional tax, setting up of a dispute settlement mechanism and giving a portion of indirect taxes to local bodies and panchayats.
“We have open mind on the issue,” Azad told reporters signalling that it was even flexible on fixing the GST rate but wanted the government to talk to the opposition leaders.
Eyebrows were raised over Jaitley’s reported remarks that Opposition demands on the GST were “preposterous”. Azad sought a clarification on the remarks during an all party meeting convened by the Modi government where Jaitley was present. “We were given an impression by the government that they will hold consultations with the Opposition on the matter,” he said.
Congress sources suggested the government could even call leaders of parties opposed to the GST for a meeting and hear out their concerns.