Communist Party of India ( CPI) leader D. Raja has backed the Congress Party on the Goods and Services Tax Bill, saying the state governments must be taken into confidence on the issue.
“GST, there are many contentious issues under it, because only federal government cannot implement GST. The other stakeholders, particularly the state governments must be taken into confidence. Unless state governments agree and accept the GST, it cannot go through,” he said.
Congress leader M. Veerappa Moily earlier on Friday justified his party’s decision to stage a walkout from the House.
“Congress Party and we are all for GST, but not a defective GST. We said this constitutional bill will have to be referred to the standing committee. That is the rule but these people are developing a practice that no bill will be referred to the standing committee. That is what we are fundamentally opposing,” said Moily.
Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Rajiv Pratap Rudy criticized the Congress for staging a walkout.
“We are rather amused why the Congress party walked out on the discussion of the GST bill and their backtracking. This raises many questions on the actual thought processes of the Congress Party,” he said.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said the Goods and Services Tax Bill will simplify the tax regime and contribute significantly for the growth of country’s economy.
Moving the bill for consideration in the Lok Sabha, Jaitley said it would be a win situation both for the states and the central government.
He expressed hope that GST can lead to 2 per cent increase in GDP.
Jaitley tried to allay the apprehension of opposition members, saying that there will be no revenue loss to States on account of GST implementation.
He said, besides, ease of doing business, GST would help trade to grow and taxation of states will not be lost in any manner. (ANI)