Govt. looks forward to passage of GST Bill in RS

New Delhi, Aug. 2 (ANI): Union Minister Ananth Kumar today said the leaders of the various political parties have assured support to the government in the passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, adding the landmark legislation will be tabled in the Rajya Sabha tomorrow. Kumar, who is the Ministers for Chemicals and Fertilizers, expressed optimism that the GST Bill, which would be passed by majority, will boost the nation's economy. "We had discussions with the Congress and other parties on the GST. We held talks with almost everybody under the headship of honourable Arun Jaitley ji," Kumar told the media here. "The honourable Prime Minster had in the all-party meeting and the NDA meeting prior to the beginning of this session urged all that the GST is in favour of the country, a win-win situation for all and extremely necessary for India's economic development," he added. The BJP has issued whip to all its members in the Rajya Sabha asking them to be present in the House for the next three days. The Business Advisory Committee of the Rajya Sabha has earmarked five hours discussion for the bill, which seeks to introduce a system for uniform taxation across the country. The Union Cabinet had cleared changes in the Bill earlier on Wednesday dropping one percent additional tax on inter-state sales and providing guarantee to compensate states for any revenue loss in the first five years of rollout. The government needs the support of two-third members of the Upper House to amend the Constitution to turn the GST into law. The GST Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha in May last year but is stuck in the Rajya Sabha due to resistance from the opposition. (ANI)