New Delhi : The Congress today said its demand for the inclusion of 18 per cent tax cap in the GST bill did not mean it is “non-negotiable” but refused to give a timeline on its passage, saying such important legislations “cannot be rushed through”.
“We have never used the word non-negotiable. We felt there is a need for a cap. There is need for ring-fencing it and an absolute guarantee that it will not be tinkered with…
“From what I gather, the Congress President did not use the word non-negotiable, but made it very clear that we would like to have it,” Congress deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma told Karan Thapar on India Today TV.
His comments came a day after former Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath said BJP’s hesitation to put an 18 per cent cap in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill in the Constitution is a “sticking point” in thrashing out a solution.
Sharma, a former Union Commerce minister, said the GST bill will “eventually happen” but refused to give a time-frame when asked whether the measure will become a reality in the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament.
“No, I can’t say that. You do not rush through such important Constitutional amendments. We would like to see the amendments in-built with the GST Bill. Where is the GST Bill?
“It is still work in progress…Why should we rush through? Let’s see,” he said, insisting that Congress would like to see the government’s proposal on suggestions made by it on the key reform measure.
