Rahul Gandhi meets Congress leaders to discuss GST

“It was because of Bihar and for this besides people of Bihar, we are equally grateful to the Chief Minister, Nitish Kumar, Rashtriya Janata Dal President, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Soniaji (Sonia Gandhi)”, the Congress leader said.

The services tax which now works out to 14.5 per cent after including the Swachh cess will go up to 18 per cent to bring it at par with the goods tax so that there is a uniform tax for both goods and services in the new GST regime.

Congress’s Kantilal Bhuria defeated BJP’s Niramla Bhuria and improved party’s tally to 45 in the lower house. And that was a principal subject matter of discussion.

“There are many issues like the GST Bill among other things that are waiting to be resolved and we hope that all these topics will be discussed today in the meeting so that we can proceed ahead together”, Naidu said.

The Prime Minister made it clear that the Government was keen to pass the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, saying it was in national interest.

After that meeting was over, Jaitley had told media persons that the government would establish fresh contact with the main Opposition party and carry forward the negations or so-called consultation process.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the NDTV channel on Wednesday that he had spoken to Congress leaders about the bill and was optimistic that it would be passed.

The central government has set the target for GST implementation from April next year, but the bill is now stuck in parliament, especially over the cabinet’s nod to some changes recommended by a parliamentary panel, notably an extra one percent levy to compensate the states for potential tax losses.

However, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi asserted that Prime Minister Modi had invited the opposition top brass under “public pressure” as it was quite contrary to his regular style of functioning. He added that there would be further progress on the landmark reform only after the government fulfils the demands put forth by the Congress.

BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said the government is “willing to discuss all issues including the so called issue of rising intolerance even though the incidents that happened were in the domain of states…”