GST Bill to come up in RS tomorrow

Wrapping up intense negotiations with the Congress-led Opposition over the past fortnight, the Centre says the constitutional amendment bill on Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be listed for debate in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

The Narendra Modi government has sought to create a consensus among political parties for its passage to roll out a uniform tax in the country from April 1 next year.

Confirming that the GST bill is listed for discussion in the Upper House on Wednesday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said, “We have requested every party to clear it with consensus and allotted five-and-half hours for discussion so that most of the leaders get chance to speak on the GST.”

The BJP has issued a whip to its 53 Rajya Sabha MPs asking them to be present in the House for three days, beginning from Wednesday. The government wanted to bring it on Tuesday but spared a day “since the House has to mobilise things” for the introduction of the constitutional bill, said government floor managers.

The government, sources said, gave in to Congress’ demand and postponed the introduction of the legislation for a day since the Opposition party president Sonia Gandhi will be away for campaigning in Prime Minister Modi’s constituency, Varanasi. The Congress wants Sonia, who is a Lok Sabha MP, to be around when the historic bill is being debated in the Upper House for any consultation if required.

As per Article 368 of the Constitution, a constitutional amendment bill has to be passed by both the Houses by a special majority. That is through voting by 50% of the House strength, which works to 123 votes since the total number of Rajya Sabha MPs is 245; and by two-thirds of the members of the House “present and voting” that day, which is at least 161 votes in favour of the GST.

On Monday, a team of senior Unions ministers, led by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, had a fresh round of talks with the Congress, Left and other Opposition parties to smoothen differences on the key tax reform legislation.

n Constitution amendment bill has to be passed by both Houses by special majority
n Strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245
n For clearing bill, two-thirds of members should be “present and voting”
n So the bill will need 161 votes in its favour
n Opposition’s role is crucial as BJP has just 53 members