‘Constructively engaged’ with govt on GST: Cong

Insisting on “ring fencing” of the GST rate, Congress on Monday said it was “constructively engaged” with the government on the issue but wanted to prevent the executive from “tinkering” with the proposed tax reform. “The Congress has insisted on a cap on the GST rate. We are very clear that there has to be a cap and there should not be any tinkering with that rate of GST. We will not leave it to the Executive or the Government of the day on its own to change that. That is why we have said it has to be firmly ring-fenced,” Anand Sharma said.

He said the GST bill will bring about unprecedented, sweeping changes in the taxation structure and the manner in which indirect taxes like excise, service tax, sales tax or VAT are levied. “We need to have clarity therefore about the levies of these taxes. The threshold which is acceptable to Indian economy, the consumer and the industry, that is why the Congress Party has insisted on capping it.” he said.