New Delhi: The government is mulling waiting till the Budget Session of Parliament to secure passage for the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.
According to sources, the BJP-led NDA government, which is minority in the Rajya Sabha, is expecting improved numbers in the Rajya Sabha in April 2016 since a number of Congress members are retiring in March and April next year.
In March, five nominated members of the upper house are retiring. The BJP-led government will get to nominate new members.
"Instead of getting the Bill passed now with compromises, we can get it passed in April 2016," the source said.
The source said in April, there will be at least 17 more members supporting the GST.
"If not in April, the GST can be implemented in May, or June or July... it will be a matter of delay of a few months only," the source added.
The next target of implementing the GST is likely to be set at June 2016.
According to government sources, all parties, except the Congress and AIADMK, are supporting the GST Bill at present.
Congress adamant on 3 changes in GST Bill
The Congress is adamant on at least three changes in the GST Bill to enable its passage in the Rajya Sabha.
One of the demands is that the states do not have powers to levy additional tax over the 18 percent tax rate that forms part of the Constitutional Amendment Bill.
A constitutional amendment measure, the GST Bill needs to be passed by a two third majority in both Houses and by the legislatures of half of the states in the country to become law.
This will enable the GST to be introduced across the country. Following this, Parliament and state legislatures will need to pass the GST Bills that impose central and state GSTs.
The Bbill was sent to a Select Committee of the Upper House, and a report is with the House now.
The GST is seen as key to facilitating industrial growth and improving business climate in the country.
By subsuming most indirect taxes levied by the central and state governments such as excise duty, service tax, Value Added Tax and sales tax, the Goods and Services Tax proposes to facilitate a common market across the country.
The government earlier wanted to implement the new GST from April 2016.
(With Agency Inputs)
