GST Bill should be sent to Select Committee: Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday said the GST bill, which was approved by Lok Sabha on Wednesday, should be sent to a Select Committee as a number of changes have been brought in the new bill.

“We are not opposed to it. But there are new elements in the new bill, which need to be looked at. So it should be sent to the Select Committee,” Singh told reporters when asked about the Congress’ stand on the long-pending bill.

He said that while Congress is in favour of the Bill, “they have brought certain changes that are not good for the economy”. Singh’s remarks are significant and reflect a finalisation of the stand on the issue by the party which treats GST as its “own baby” but has been opposing it in Parliament “not on content but mannerism of taking up of the bill.”

There are only three working days left in both Houses from Monday to Wednesday. With Congress insisting on a select committee route, the passage of the bill seems unlikely in this session.
The bill was approved by Lok Sabha on Wednesday after a walkout by Congress but Government has still not given up hope of taking all sections on board.

http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-gst-bill-should-be-sent-to-select-committee-manmohan-singh-2084528