Govt circulates amendments to GST to Rajya Sabha members

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told Rajya Sabha the amendments to the Bill, pending in the Upper House for last one year, were given to the Secretariat of the House two days ago and have been circulated to the members.

He was responding to concerns raised by some members including Naresh Agarwal of SP who said they have not received copies of the bill or the amendment.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, that would lay the ground for roll out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, subsuming all indirect taxes including central excise duty and state VAT/sales tax, is listed for consideration and passing in the Upper House tomorrow.

The legislation was approved by the Lok Sabha in May last year and introduced in Rajya Sabha in August last year where it has been pending because of opposition from the Congress party over certain provisions.

The Cabinet, Agarwal said, had approved amendments to the Bill and the same should be given to members for them to go through before the debate tomorrow.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said the Bill was circulated to members in August last year before its introduction in the Upper House. That as per rules and procedures is okay, he said.

"However, if you need one more copy, (Rajya Sabha) Secretariat will circulate it," he said adding if there are amendments proposed by the government to that Bill they have to be circulated to members one day before the debate.

Jaitley said the amendments have been circulated as well.

Sitaram Yechury (CPI-M) said the amendments have been received in electronic form and a printed copy may be given to members, while Sukhendu Sekhar Roy (TMC) said printed copies of the amendments to the Bill were received at residence this morning.