RS panel endorses majority provisions of GST Bill

The landmark bill on GST on Wednesday won majority support of the Rajya Sabha Select Committee, which endorsed almost all the provisions while also agreeing to <g data-gr-id="14">demands</g> of parties like TMC for a five-year compensation to states. 

The committee, headed by BJP’s Bhupender Yadav, in its report submitted to the House suggested changes in clauses pertaining to compensation and levy of 1 per cent additional tax by the states on <g data-gr-id="12">inter-state</g> supply of goods. 

The report, however, is marked by dissent notes from Congress, AIADMK and Left parties, which have expressed their opposition to the GST Constitution Amendment Bill in the existing form. The bill, which has already been approved by Lok Sabha, will now have to be taken up for passage in the Upper House. As it is a Constitution Amendment Bill, the Bill has to be approved by two-third members in the Rajya Sabha.

The ruling BJP government does not have a majority in RS and will have to depend upon <g data-gr-id="16">support</g> of regional parties and allies for passage of the Bill.