Govt lists GST Bill for passage in Rajya Sabha today

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, August 11, 2015: Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will move the much-awaited Bill on GST for passage in the Rajya Sabha even as doubts persist if the opposition Congress will allow passage of the Constitution Amendment Bill.

The Revised List of Business of Rajya Sabha said Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will move the Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-second Amendment) Bill, 2014, incorporating recommendations made by a House Select Committee. Jaitley will also move that the Bill be passed, it said.

Meanwhile, the Congress on Monday appeared to be pursuing a lone battle against the government in Parliament as SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav put the grand old party on notice saying he was fed up with the disruptions.

Some other parties like the RJD, JD-U and TMC too appeared to be supporting the SP stand saying that continuous disruption of the House is uncalled for.

The Congress, which has not allowed Parliament to run since the monsoon session started on July 21, demanding removal of tainted BJP leaders, blocked proceedings on Monday as well, indicating it wanted a complete washout of the session ending August 13.

On Monday, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi targeted Sushma, saying, "Parliament will function when Sushma Swaraj discloses details of how much money has been deposited in her family’s account by Lalit Modi."

Rahul’s comments provoked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who hit back saying the Congress was playing politics of obstruction, which was anti-development since it was blocking the passing of the economic reform GST bill. Jaitley blamed the Congress for blocking the GST Bill and said Sushma Swaraj’s resignation was only a pretext.

"The Rajya Sabha can’t be conducted in this manner. The government is not being allowed to speak. Congress is using Swaraj only as an excuse to block the GST Bill," Jaitley said.

On the other hand, Mulayam Singh Yadav urged, "Why don’t members from both sides sit for a discussion and solve the impasse?"

Later, at a meeting with the Speaker, Yadav said he was in the favour of the House functioning. "We want the House to function. We won’t support Congress protest. Democracy can’t run on whims and fancies," Yadav reportedly told the Speaker.

The GST bill, a flagship reform legislation of the government had been passed in the Lok Sabha during the previous budget session but could not be taken to the Rajya sabha, where the NDA lacks strength.

Courtesy: Indiatoday