Going all out to pass GST Bill: BJP issues whip, tells MPs to stay present in Parliament

New Delhi: With the government pushing for passage of the GST bill in Parliament, BJP issued a whip to its members on Tuesday, asking them to be present in both the Houses on Tuesday and Wednesday. The GST bill is listed for discussion and passage in the Rajya Sabha where the NDA does not have a majority, and as a constitutional amendment bill it needs the support of two-thirds of the House. [caption id=“attachment_2387564” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Protests during the Monsoon Session of the Parliament. PTI[/caption] With the Monsoon Session ending this week, the government is keen to push the bill. With some parties including the Samajwadi Party breaking ranks with the Congress on the issue of stalling Parliament, treasury benches hope that it would have numbers to push the key reform bill. The Goods and Services Tax (GST), that seeks to replace all indirect taxes, with a uniform levy has already been approved by the Lok Sabha and was in last session referred to a Rajya Sabha Select Committee. The panel has given its report endorsing majority of the provisions, while suggesting changes in compensation to states and definition of supply for the purpose of states levying additional one per cent tax. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy had assailed Congress for opposing the Bill, which he said was its own brain child. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had  attacked the Congress’ top leadership on Monday for its “stubbornness” and alleged that they wanted India’s growth story to suffer by obstructing the GST bill’s passage. Jaitley had said that the Congress was “completely isolated” on the GST bill and “its best endeavour is that since it won’t be able to stop the GST it is definitely trying to delay.” PTI