Congress Stalls Its 'Baby' GST Bill in RS Again

Congress launched a full-scale war against the NDA Government in the RS by thwarting the Centre’s efforts to clear the GST Bill.

NEW DELHI:Members of the Congress on Wednesday launched a  full-scale war against the NDA Government in the Rajya Sabha by thwarting the Centre’s last-ditch efforts to clear the long awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. Its members stalled the proceedings by showing ‘Prime minister Missing’  placards soon after the Chair took up the Constitution Amendment Bill for GST for discussion in the afternoon.

Soon after the House reconvened after two adjournments and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley moved the Constitution Amendment Bill l for GST for discussion, the Congress members stormed the Well shouting a resounding ‘No’.

As Deputy Chairman P J Kurien asked members that since the Bill was moved yesterday (Tuesday), it was time for discussion now, the Congress members shouted slogans and encircled the Well, leading to adjournment of the House for the day.

Unable to control the agitated Congress members, Kurien said, “This is your Bill. You shouting members, GST is your Bill. It is a baby of the Congress party. If you want, you can vote against the Bill ... no one is preventing you (from voting),”adding, it had been introduced by the earlier UPA Government.

While disapproving of the conduct of the Congress members stalling a debate on the Bill, Kurien said, “This is undemocratic. This is an affront to Parliamentary democracy. I don’t approve of this. I totally disapprove of this.”

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi also asked the Chair to remove the protesting members from the Well. He even sought their suspension for stalling the proceedings.”This is hooliganism by the Congress members,” he said.

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