Modi govt to push for passage of GST this week

– Lok Sabha passed two Bills: The Carriage by Air (Amendment) Bill and the Bureau of Indian Standards Bill.

The government has listed the goods and services tax (GST) bill for consideration in the Rajya Sabha this week, without securing a commitment from the Congress, whose support is essential for the passage of the legislation that requires a constitutional amendment.

With the government resolving to give a decisive push to the GST bill in Parliament this week, the winter session could witness a battle of wits in the Rajya Sabha from Monday, with both sides keen to have their say in passage of the key reform measure.

As for the Rajya Sabha, the government plans taking up the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013, on which discussion has already begun, among others.

The Select Committees of the Rajya Sabha have already submitted their reports on these two bills, which are pending for further consideration and passing by the House.

The government business during the next week would include further consideration and passing of the GST Bill, which is officially mentioned as Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014.

Besides the GST, also listed in the Rajya Sabha agenda for next week are the Real Estate Regulator Bill, the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Bill and the Whistle Blower Protection (Amendment) Bill.

– Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha had discussions on the extent of damage caused due to North West monsoon and the flood situation in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

The Payment of Bonus (Amendment) Bill, 2015 also seeks to enhance the monthly bonus calculation ceiling to Rs 7,000 per month from existing Rs 3,500.

Non-legislative business which could be taken up in Lok Sabha next week includes discussion on drought situation in the country, price rise and India’s relations with neighbouring countries.

Replying to the discussion on the High Court and the Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) Amendment Bill, 2015, Law Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said it was not brought in under any pressure from anybody and all the suggestions made by members were “well-taken”.