Finance Minister of India, Mr. Arun Jaitley Said that he is ready to talk with Congress party’s any member in case of GST Bill that stuck due to Congress resistance. He expressed his willingness that he wants to talk with Vice-President of Indian National Congress, Mr. Rahul Gandhi in terms of the GST Bill that passed by Parliament for two decades.
He Said, “We are willing to speak to any of their leaders”. And asked if you will face Rahul Gandhi, Arun Jaitley Said “Certainly. Why not?”
He further added, “I would try and persuade them to have it cleared now, as soon as possible, because it is going to be one of the most important reforms in India”.
When asked from Jaitley, What would you compromise in terms of GST, then Finance Minister Said, “Since it is a Constitution amendment and it will stand the test of time, I don’t want to create an architecture which is faulty, and some of their suggestions could hurt that architecture, But if there is something which doesn’t hurt, but strengthens the GST architecture, I am certainly willing to look at it.”
Jaitley further said, “Anyone in the government can speak to people – there’s no difficulty at all,” he said. “So far, we have been speaking to the more accessible section of the Congress party.”
Talking about the Goods and Services Tax, GST is a tax that will create a single market for more than a dozen state levies. The GST is to be applied from 1st April, 2016 if the Parliament passes the Constitution Amendment Bill in the upcoming months. GST Council would have to set the rate of GST that will be managed by the Union Finance Minister.
The main problem arising in passing the Bill is that Congress is opposing to grant power to the states for levying a 1 percent tax over and above the GST rate. It also wants to include alcohol and petroleum in the GST regime.
