NEW DELHI, Aug 4 (TOI) : The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitutional Amendment Bill which the Lok Sabha had already approved last year. The exact rate of the tax will only be decided in the weeks or months ahead.
The legislation was approved by the Rajya Sabha with 203 votes in favour and none against, in the 243-member House. The bill was passed after a after a seven-hour debate.
The House was adjourned till 11 pm. The Deputy Speaker PJ Kurien urged the members and the press to get some food and return by 11 pm.
The main objective of the GST is to eliminate excessive taxation. GST is a uniform indirect tax levied on goods and services across a country. Many developed nations tax the manufacture, sale and consumption of goods using a single, comprehensive tax. The roadmap for implementation of GST will be announced tomorrow, said Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia.
"The GST bill will empower the states, will increase revenue of states as well as Centre. It'll ensure that there is 'no tax on tax' "finance minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday in the Lok Sabha.
It was the Congress-led UPA government that was the first one to table an iteration of the bill, which it did on 2011. It couldn't pass the bill then due to opposition disagreement. Then the BJP-led NDA tabled another version of the bill in 2014. That couldn't pass because this time, it faced disagreement on some of the provisions of the bill from its opposition, mainly the Congress party.
For this 2016 version of the bill, Union finance minister Jaitley held several rounds of consultations with opposition parties and state governments. His attempt was to bring everyone on board, because, notionally, most parties are in favour a single tax regime.
While the Congress party on Wednesday support the GST Constitutional Amendment Bill, it made it perfectly clear it will only approve a later GST 'rate' bill if that's decided by both Houses of Parliament, and not just the Lok Sabha. As well, the standard rate of GST should not exceed 18%, the Congress said today in the Rajya Sabha.
Earlier today, Jaitley thanked the Congress. "There has been major consensus building that has taken place. I am extremely thankful to all opposition parties especially Ghulam Nabi Azad (of the Congress," Jaitley said.
The Congres said it was grateful that the BJP acknowledged it was the Congress that first announced the GST.
"I'm glad FM acknowledged that it was UPA govt that first officially announced the intention to bring GST," the former finance minister P Chidambaram of the Congress said in the Rajya Sabha."Hope the finance minister will pass GST bill not on strength of numbers but in strength of his arguments," he added.
Comment on this article
Dr Mohan Prabhu, LL.D,QC, mangalore/ottawa
Thu, Aug 04 2016What a relief! Cooler heads have prevailed. Now, the GST reforms can go ahead and promote inter-State and international trade.
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Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Congress Best.
The Bill of GST.
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Vandana, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Good GST was passed. Hope no cess on GST will be levied ....
I wonder why government and opposition are taking jan lokpal bill and pass the same.
At least one part of election promises are fulfilled to curb corruption.
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PAM Suvarna, Karla
Thu, Aug 04 2016We need to say thanks to BJP,Congress and other parties those who supported to pass this long awaited bill.
There should be one country, one Tax, as well one civil code.
Hamaare Desh Mahaan.
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Raj, Bangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016People who say it was initiated by Congress and not BJP, its true but the congress was not able to bring all states together and passing the bill since 2007. This shows they were not serious with India's growth, but BJP has successfully done it and congress had to support as they were left alone who were opposing at last. Appreciate the govts effort under PM Modi.
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Indian, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Customer to bear GST. People will understand more in next six months about it & then the fun begins. Till then, soak in historic headlines!
SAVE THIS...
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geoffrey, hat hill
Thu, Aug 04 2016This is not something first time in the world, in fact we are the last ones to incorporate it. GST is aimed at preventing tax evasion and hence boost the GDP. But all said and done, no man made system is absolutely foolproof and corporate crooks are always a step ahead!
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Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016BJP is nation’s Bewilder.
Congress is the nation Builder.
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.
The GST was a baby of Congress.
The BJP = Brahsta Jumla Poison wanted to kill congress GST baby by poisoning but couldn’t but surely they made the baby malnutritioned. But congress didn’t allow doing so and later the BJP made few corrections to the GST
The opposed / refused GST bill during the period of UPA is now a sweet sweat of bjp’s as they did same thing while congress increased / decreased petrol prices in india. Crude Oil Prices were very High during UPA rule and the BJP’S Soosamma made BHARATH BANDH and we lost billions in Bharath Bandh.
CONGRESS BUILT AND DEVELOPED THE NATION. BJP HAS CARRIED OUT ALL OPPOSITION TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDIA.
Jai Soniaji.
Jai Rahulji.
Jai Congress.
Jai, Jai, Kai, Kai.
Jai Dr. Manmohan Singhji.
Jai to all congress leaders for building the Nation.
DisAgree [15] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse
Roshan, Mangaluru
Thu, Aug 04 2016It is great for BJP finally come around and accept GST as a necessary instrument for development. If they had that foresight earlier, India would have had the GST billed passed in 2006 when UPA introduced it.
As former FM Chidu rightly said - GST also stands for Good Sense Trimps.
It is something strange however, Jaitly is already conceded that he will fail. His barb on Chidu, saying it is a luxury to be former FM, as Jaitley now has the tough task of implementation.
If BJP and Jaitley is soo nervous, they could have let UPA do the job. With all modi campaigns failing miserably, this too will add one addition.
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Indian, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016FYI GST is first introduced by Mr.A.B.Vajapayee during NDA regime.
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Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Dear Indian, Mangalore,
Vajapayee hasn't do anything for India and for Indians. His last wish was to release criminals from Indian prisons to Kandahar Afghanistan.
HE HAD HIS OWN ACHIEVEMENT AND THAT IS HIS POETRY and slow moshan bhaashans.
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Mahendra Shetty, Mumbai Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016YESTERDAY THE CHOR PARTY'S POSITION WAS WE ARE VERY UPSET AND WE ARE VERY HAPPY ALSO.....
THEY KNOW WE ARE CORNERED AND WITHOUT CHOICE WE HAVE TO SUPPORT GST....
DisAgree [18] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse
vikram, bangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Guys stop fighting BJP/Congress and any party. All party leaders finds way to only win the election and get nominated.
Just speak about the benefits of GST, because we need to work and look after ourselves and family.
Neither BJP nor Congress or any others will not help us.
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Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai
Thu, Aug 04 2016I am happy that finally GST bill passed.
By now, India should have matured enough to establish stability on policy matters, leaving aside petty political differences.
GST was strongly opposed earlier was promoted now, it shows how inconsistent we are on policy matters.
Without consistency in policy matters, it's impossible to revive economy. How can anybody trust us, if we change our mind so often?
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David Pais, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016@Valerian D'souza, Udupi / Mumbai,
fdi and aadhar card same as gst.
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Anirudh P, Bengaluru
Thu, Aug 04 2016Guys, stop silly fighting.
Let’s celebrate the victory of Democracy in India.
No matter who started it and who completed it both BJP and Congress (and all other political parties who supported the bill) deserves appreciation.
Both major parties knew that they cannot drag it further as entire nation know why it is getting delayed and was eagerly waiting for this bill to be passed.
Thanks to BJP and Congress for moving one step ahead towards each other to pass this bill.
Finally it is victory of us, people of India.
Jai Hind.
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Hindustani, Manipal/Dubai
Thu, Aug 04 2016Congrats!
''.ONE NATION ONE TAX''
It was opposed earlier by not only BJP,but most of the state governments..because of s omany loopholes in the bill.
Now before congress supported based on their demand of 1% extra tax..all the state governments agreed except TN.
Need to congratulate PM Modi & FM Arun Jaitley and all those officials involved in this for their ''dont give up'' attitude/efforts in passing the bill.
Jai Hind!
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Ahmed , Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016BRo you need to get the fact rite,check who proposed this Bill initially and who opposed it.
Credit is taken by someone else
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Hindustani, Manipal/Dubai
Thu, Aug 04 2016U r very much right bro..thats what I said..congress brought it initially and others opposed..Credit should go to all the members of all the parties who supported it.
Before congress tried to bring but gave up..Thats history.
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Shaan, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Ache din for all Indians, this bill too much helped for all citizen of bharath.... thanks for Modi government.
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Vandana, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Stop being bhakhts. Get to know the facts. This bill was introduced in 2007 and supposed to be implemented by 2010 but didn't happen. Again in 2011 it was again proposed but as BJP opposed it and could not be passed. Now with the proposal of Congress it was again taken in lok sabha after 1 year of BJP rule. It was passed with the help of Congress in rajya sabha
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Ani, Mangalore/Muscat
Thu, Aug 04 2016@ Vandana /Vinitha
Stop being KAM Bhakht.
At least change few lines/words before commenting in different Names... LOL
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Vandana, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016A person who can't even give his name says about others wow.
I told the truth, as it is ruling and opposition both worked together.
Kamale kanninavarige jagathu haladi kanuthade
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Vandana, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Think why could same comments where given in different name. I was trying to post my comments from long but couldn't. I tried combinations and so it came twice.
For your kind info this is not a vote that you find issues. It's a forum to express your thoughts
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SK, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Well said.... Bhakts are blind.....When Modi was the CM, he was opposing the bill tooth and nail.... Now he wanted the same sxxt
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Sudhir , Mangaluru
Thu, Aug 04 2016Dear all,
In 2000, the Vajpayee government set up the Empowered Committee of State Finance Ministers with the aim of facilitating a switch from the existing national-level central excise duty and state-level sales tax model to a value added tax (VAT) model.[8] It was given the task of designing the GST model and overseeing the IT back-end preparedness for its rollout. The committee was headed by Asim Dasgupta, Minister for Finance and Excise of West Bengal.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam pointed out that although the indirect tax policy in India has been steadily progressing in the direction of the value added tax (VAT) principle since 1986, the existing system of taxation of goods and services still suffered from many problems and had suggested a comprehensive goods and services tax (GST) based on the VAT principle. GST system is targeted to be a simple, transparent and efficient system of indirect taxation as has been adopted by over 130 countries around the world. This involves taxation of goods and services in an integrated manner as the blurring of line of demarcation between goods and services has made separate taxation of goods and services untenable.[citation needed]
Frp, 1 April 2005 onwards, a number of states abandoned the sales tax and adopted a state-level VAT.
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MICHAEL NORONHA, Mysore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Congratulations to the opposition for making the Government bow down to voice of the opposition which made it possible for passage of the bill. The Nation wins when the Government of the day shuns its autocratic and big brother attitude towards the opposition.
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Rakesh, Pune
Thu, Aug 04 2016Well done BJP.. BJP did what congress could not do in last 70 Years. Congress did lot of scams and helped to increase Minority population.. other than that nothing..
DisAgree [33] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse
Ravi C, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016BJP learnt how to copy
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Rakesh, Pune
Thu, Aug 04 2016BJP learns fats, where as Congress could pick up any good things, because they have all old grumpy leaders loaded in the party... lead by Italian Mafia
DisAgree [18] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse
JL, mumbai
Thu, Aug 04 2016bjp only good in blame game and communal activities. Thanks to great MMS who had very good ideas but that time blame game bjp did not support whereas congress for betterment of people have supported GST. copy paste bjp should learn something good rather than blame game every time.
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Suresh, Manipal
Thu, Aug 04 2016Yes your are right BJP promised 15 lakhs but two years completed no luck. Bringing back black money in couple of months also failed... Only bhashans
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Rakesh, Pune
Thu, Aug 04 2016Till this congress Party is Alive, we cannot bring back Black Money. Congress lead by Italian Mafia, has full control over Foreign Banks, if we want Black Money back please rout out this corrupt Congress from India.. MMS - IMR (Italian Mafias Robot)
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alfria, mumbai
Thu, Aug 04 2016Rakesh: You agree that congress and the Italian is still so strong that BJP and Modi are scared of them.
DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Report Abuse
jeevan, mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016One nation one law . . Time has come to enact uniform civil code. Jai ho modiji
DisAgree [48] Agree [31] Reply Report Abuse
jeevan, mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016One nation one law . ... Modiji thanks for GST
DisAgree [44] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse
Vinitha, Mangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016stop being a bhakt, i guess you dont know who proposed this bill and who opposed. it was proposed in 2007 and was to be implemented by 2010 but didnt happen. Again it started in 2011 and in 2013 BJP was the one to oppose it or else it would have been passed long back. 1 year after coming to power BJP put that in parliament . Without congress help this bill wouldn't have passed in rajya sabha
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geoffrey, hat hill
Thu, Aug 04 2016Started by France in 1954, GST is an age old taxation system which has been already implemented by 160 countries in the world and we as usual are the last ones to wake up from our deep slumber. The present ruling party opposed it tooth and nail when in opposition, just like they did with Aadhaar even without understanding what it is . In Aadhaar’s case, Nandan Nilekani, even though defeated in LS polls, had to personally educate Modi as to what Aadhar was all about!
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Ravi, Kapu
Thu, Aug 04 2016geoffrey, hat hill
Ok. If Congress is a good political party, why aren't they in power now..
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geoffrey, hat hill
Thu, Aug 04 2016Ravi, it'd be rather childish to say Congress is good or BJP is bad. I've just presented a couple of FACTS that are relevant to the topic in discussion. It's up to you to decide who's the Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Just to facilitate your thought process, let me pick up a couple more examples from history. Adolf Hitler whom the history considers biggest villain of all time, ruled Germany for 12 long years until his death. You also very well know that leaders like Mahathma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln didn't die of natural deaths!
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gm, mlur
Thu, Aug 04 2016Every 5 years power changes. BJP, Janata Party, Congress came in power before also.
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alfria, mumbai
Thu, Aug 04 2016Ravi, you ask childish question, Once you said BJP government was very good when vajpayee was the PM and tell me why did he loose power in 2004, Introspect and find an answer, Same answer will be applicable to congress also.
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Vincent Rodrigues., Frazer Town,Bangalore
Thu, Aug 04 2016Good decision indeed for passing the much awaited GST bill in both the houses of parliament
DisAgree [1] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse
Jossey Saldanha, Nashville
Thu, Aug 04 2016Finally, some hope for Acche Din ...
DisAgree [4] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse
Dev Kumar, Una/Gujarat
Thu, Aug 04 2016How government works..in favour of all.
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