Rahul Gandhi says Congress is okay with GST bill, but with conditions

As the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government is trying to coax opposition for the passage of GST bill in Rajya Sabha, Congress said it is open to it provided the government accommodated views of the Opposition.

The NDA government is hoping to pass the GST bill in the Winter Session of the parliament.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi said the Congress "strongly" believed in the GST bill, saying his party has three issues with the proposed bill: the need to cap GST rate at 18%, an independent dispute-resolution set-up within the GST council and the need to scrap 1% inter-state tax.

"The government has to accept that Congress sits in Parliament, has a view and 20% vote," he said.

"The Congress wants the GST bill to be both pro-industry/trade and pro-consumer. We want a cap on the GST rate so that it's not raised later," said Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad. He said the government side had assured to discuss the GST bill with the Opposition.

(Image: Indiatimes)