Rajya Sabha to take up GST bill next week

The proposed tax reform, the biggest since India`s independence from Britain in 1947, seeks to replace a slew of federal taxes and levies in 29 states, transforming the nation of near 1.3 billion people into a customs union.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Representational image. Pic: IANS

The government will introduce the long-awaited goods and services tax (GST) constitutional amendment bill in parliament next week, a minister said on Friday, as almost all political parties have agreed on the proposed law.

The GST bill will be introduced in Rajya Sabha next week, Junior Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told lawmakers.

The proposed tax reform, the biggest since India`s independence from Britain in 1947, seeks to replace a slew of federal taxes and levies in 29 states, transforming the nation of near 1.3 billion people into a customs union.

When asked about passing of GST, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, "I will keep my fingers crossed."

All kind of discussion s has been made and keeping my fingers crossed, he said.