Government unlikely to bring GST bills soon

With the united opposition attacking the ruling dispensation in Parliament over the demonetisation issue, the government is unlikely to bring three bills related to GST in the coming days and hopeful of pushing them in latter half of the Winter session which began today.

The government is keen to push the passage of three legislations related to the main GST bill in the ongoing Winter session, as Parliamentary nod for these bills is must for rolling out GST from the target date of April 1, 2017.

The three bills related to GST are-the Central Goods and Services Tax Bill, the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Bill, the Goods and Services Tax (Compensation for Loss of Revenue) Bill.

The government is hopeful of passage of the three GST bills in the Winter session, which are likely to be introduced in either third or fourth week of the session, a source said.

As per the GST Constitution Amendment Bill, which was notified on September 17, 2016, the government is required to complete the process of implementation of GST within a year.

The all powerful GST Council, which is chaired by the Finance Minister and has representations from state, had already decided on a four-tier rate structure-5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent-with a cess over and above the peak rate for luxury and demerit goods.

The issue of dual control, which deals with who will control which set of assessees under GST, has been holding back the negotiations between the Centre and the states.

The government has listed total nine bills which also includes Surrogacy (Regulation) Bill for introduction, consideration and passage.

The government has listed 10 pending bills including HIV AIDS Prevention and Control bill, Mental Health Care bill, Maternity Benefit Amendment bill, Prevention of Corruption (amendment) bill and Consumer Protection bill for consideration and passing as these bills have already been introduced in Parliament. Source – http://www.financialexpress.com[16-11-2016]