P Chidambaram from the INC rises to speak on GST. Highlights...


-- I welcome the friendly and conciliatory tone of Finance Minister's speech.

-- Tone and approach has changed over the last 3-4 weeks and that augers well for this bill.

-- Many issues yet to be resolved. Congress was never opposed to the idea of GST.

-- Hope the Finance Minister will pass GST bill not on strength of numbers but in strength of his arguments.

-- Congress was never opposed to the idea of a GST; Congress only wanted to fix serious flaws in the GST bill. Today, if we pass this GST bill, it will be on basis of serious discussions, serious debate and negotiations.

-- The 2014 GST Bill was opposed, idea wasn't because we felt it was possible to have a more perfect bill. There were too many flaws in GST
Bill which could be fixed and hence we didn't support the bill.

-- GST stands for Good Sense Prevails.

-- Parliament must decide the GST rate.

-- I'd urge the finance minister to further strengthen the bill.

-- GST rate above 18% will defeat the purpose of the bill. The GST rate can be kept low.

-- Parliament must decide the GST rate.

-- Will support the GST bill but want assurance from the finance minister.

-- Thank the government for dropping the 1% tax.