C'garh CM Raman Singh congratulates PM Modi, Jaitley for passage of GST Bill

Chhattisgarh, Aug. 4 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on Wednesday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for the passage of the much awaited Goods and Services (GST) Bill in the Rajya Sabha. He said the Bill was in true spirit of financial cooperative federalism and a definitive step towards 'Sab Ka Sath Sab Ka Vikas'. "I congratulate @arunjaitley ji and @narendramodi ji for bringing in economic integration of India by introducing #GSTBill in the country. It is in true spirit of financial cooperative federalism and a definitive step towards #SabkaSathSabkaVikas. #GSTBill #GST4India," Singh tweeted. He further said that the passage of the GST Bill concluded the process of political integration initiated by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by also bringing economic integration of India. "I salute the perseverance of Hon. PM @narendramodi ji & FM @arunjaitley ji in getting this watershed bill passed to finally achieve the objective of one India one market," he added. The GST Bill was earlier today passed in the Upper House of Parliament. Moving the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 amid thumping of desks by the entire House, Jaitley said it was one of the most significant tax reforms in India in recent history that has been brought after a broad consensus with various political parties. The bill was supported by the Congress and most of the other parties like Samajwadi Party, JD (U) and Trinamool Congress. The AIADMK, however, opposed the move. While commending the bill for consideration, Jaitley said, "I am sure the enactment of GST will bring about the best economic management in its federal form." He said the legislation was being enacted in the best possible way in the Indian federalism. The Finance Minister said there was a need for a political consensus as far as possible to bring this bill and a process of dialogue with all major political parties and states was undertaken and the best possible output was incorporated in the bill. Speaking on behalf of the Congress, former Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said his party supports the idea of the GST as well as the bill, which he noted had been improved after the government held talks with various parties, including his. Spelling out the problems his party had with the bill, he said Congress wanted a cap of 18 per cent on the tax rate under GST, scrapping of 1 per cent retrogade tax besides setting up of disputes redressal mechanism for resolving issues arising out of tax disputes between states. (ANI)