GST Bill: Consensus eluded

No consensus emerged between the main opposition Congress and the Central Government on Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill on Monday.

Congress leader Anand Sharma said the government and Congress will have another round of consultations.

Briefing media in New Delhi, Sharma said Leader of the Congress in the Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge was not present, therefore, it was decided to meet again.

Sharma also said engagement between the Government and the Opposition could not be restricted to one single issue.

Criticising the Government for its keenness to discuss only the GST bill, Shrama said the Centre should also think over other pending key bills.

Earlier on Monday, the government had held a meeting with the main opposition to build consensus on the GST Bill, which was attended by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, whereas Ghulam Nabi Azad, Anand Sharma and Jyotiraditya Scindia were present from the Congress side.

The Bill has already been cleared by the Lok Sabha. Congress has been demanding GST rate at 18 per cent for bulk of goods and services and scrapping of one per cent inter-state tax. (ANI)