BJP confident of passing GST, trying to build consensus

Bengaluru, July 23: Union Minister Ananth Kumar on Saturday expressed his confidence on passing of the crucial Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill in Parliament and said they are trying to build consensus with all the political parties as the proposed bill will prove beneficial and will mark a revolutionary change in Indian economy. "We are trying to build a consensus, therefore we are speaking to everybody. We want to take everybody on board including Congress," he said. Kumar added, "This important, historic, revolutionary tax reform will be brought because entire India will come under one tax system and it will also give a great impetus to Indian economy. It is a major measure for ease of doing business." When asked whether there will be any sort of amendment in the proposed GST bill, he said the matter is still being discussed and will inform about this later. The Constitution amendment bill for roll-out of GST is pending in Rajya Sabha for a long time and the government is keen to ensure its passage. The GST seeks to bring a uniform tax structure subsuming a number of imposts and the government claims that it will help add one to two percent to the country's GDP.