Final call on GST: Clear 3 issues, says Rahul

Guwhati: The Congress has three issues with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill which need to be addressed, party vice president Rahul Gandhi said. He also told reporters in Guwahati that a wrong impression was being created about the Congress' viewpoint on the bill pending in Parliament.

"As far as Congress' statement (on the issue) in parliament is concerned, the impression is being given that we are not interested in the GST (bill)," he said. "We have three issues (concerning the Bill) which need to be addressed," he said.

Gandhi said the Congress demands on the GST bill include a cap on the GST rate at 18 per cent, deletion of the provision which allows imposition of 1 per cent tax by additional levy, and an independent dispute resolution mechanism. He argued that the UPA government's original bill had proposed setting up of a GST Dispute Settlement Authority.

Earlier in the day, the Congress leader also attended an interactive session on women's empowerment with some self-help groups in Guwahati. Rahul again sad the National Herald case was is by PM's office, “we will tackle it legally”. After pitched battles in Parliament, with no work done, the government's offer of talks brings new hope for the GST bill.

With eight more working days in the winter session, the government has called the Congress for another meeting on Sunday to try and clear the way for one tax for all India. The meeting could be between the government and top Congress leaders but it is not confirmed whether it will be a redux of the "chai par charcha" between PM Narendra Modi, his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

What is worrying the government is the fact that the Congress, with a decisive strength in the Rajya Sabha, is inadvertently linking the fate of GST with the Herald case. Rajya Sabha adjourned four times On Friday amid repeated disruptions by Congress members who trooped near the chairman's podium and raised slogans, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2.30 p.m. on Friday over the National Herald case.

Another reports says the winter session may be headed for yet another washout with the opposition Congress finding a new reason (Herald case) to block proceedings in the upper House. Congress continued with its protests in the Lok Sabha against the "defamatory" comments of a BJP member against its leaders and staged a walkout, along with Trinamool, RJD and JD(U), after their demand for an apology from him drew no assurance from either the Speaker or government.

Sushma to make statement on Dec 14

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj will make a statement in Parliament on December 14 on the recent developments in India-Pakistan relations. Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Rajiv Pratap Rudy informed the Lok Sabha that Ms Swaraj is ready and would make a statement on Monday (December 14). Escalating its attack on the Congress over the National Herald case, the BJP has brought out a booklet titled 'Family Greed and National Blackmail' that aims to "inform" its party leaders about the issue.