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Congress slams BJP for delaying GST Bill

"Not only is the BJP divided. Even the Prime Minister had opposed the GST when he was the chief minister of Gujarat state," said Ramesh.

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The Congress on Monday hit out at the BJP for not tabling the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the BJP was itself divided over certain inflationary consequences of the GST, resulting in the delay.

"Not only is the BJP divided. Even the Prime Minister had opposed the GST when he was the chief minister of Gujarat state," said Ramesh.

On day one of the monsoon session, the Congress had made it adequately clear that it was open to negotiations on the GST and was ready to discuss it, if brought to Rajya Sabha. The Parliament is now in the second week of the four weeks session and the BJP is yet to respond to the Congress concerns on the bill.

"We do not intent to scuttle the GST. If the government is so confident about GST why is it reluctant in bringing the bill?" added Ramesh.

The Congress has been pushing for 18 per cent cap on GST against the proposed 22-23 per cent. Both BJP and Congress are yet to reach a consensus on the cap. "If GST rates becomes over 22-23% as currently being suggested, it is bound to be inflationary. In order to contain inflation, in order to ensure that the burden of taxation does not fall on the poor, we have suggested 18% cap," added Ramesh.

The GST is not yet listed for discussion in the House. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had informally met Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma, Rajya Sabha leader of opposition and his deputy a day before the beginning of the monsoon session. The Congress then had raised its objection over the bill. Jaitley had then assured the duo that the BJP will respond to Congress suggestions though a formal channel. Ten days on, the BJP is yet to respond.

The Finance Minister is however meeting the state finance ministers on Tuesday to discuss the bill.

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