As Centre hopeful of pushing GST through parliament next week, parties give thumbs up but with riders

With the Central Government likely to introduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in the Rajya Sabha next Tuesday, most of the political parties have virtually given their consent to it, though with riders.

Hoping that there will be a discussion on the Bill next week, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Saturday said a common consensus has almost emerged among all political parties for the passage of the Bill.

"We feel that a common consensus has almost emerged for the passage of the GST, which is an important law for the development and reforms in the nation, which will be beneficial to both the states and the country," Naqvi told ANI.

However, with the main opposition the Congress and some other parties seeking certain amendments in the Bill before extending their support to the Bill, the BJP leader said, "We have held elaborated discussions with all political parties on the issue, which is still on. Besides, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and other senior leaders of the Central Government are holding parleys with them."

"Almost all political parties agree on it, and I hope that there will be a discussion on it the next week," he added.

Congress MP Sandeep Dikshit, however, said if there emerges a way out, which is in the welfare of people, his party would welcome it.

"It's nice that they are talking. We come to know from television that the government has agreed on the issue of 1 percent additional tax and is holding discussions with the Congress on other two issues," he told ANI.

Backing the introduction of the Bill, Janata Dal (United) chief general secretary and national spokesperson K.C. Tyagi said, "We are in favour of the GST Bill. Our chief minister and the party have supported it and as a member of the select committee, I have also supported it. It is in the economic benefit of Bihar."

Naresh Agrawal of the Samajwadi Party has expressed his party's concern over the provision of arrest and income of municipal bodies.

"Arun Jaitley should speak to us, as we also have some doubts and problems regarding the GST. He has made provision of arrest under the GST Bill and what will happen to the income of municipal bodies? These things should be made clear in the GST Bill," he told ANI, adding that if Jaitley addresses those concerns, they will support the GST.