Rajasthan Assembly ratifies GST Bill amid protests by Opposition

Yash Goyal

Jaipur, September 2

The Rajasthan Assembly unanimously ratified the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Constitution Amendment Bill on Friday despite protests by Opposition.

Minister Rajpal Singh Shekhawat tabled the Bill amid protests by the Opposition led by the Congress over recent deaths of cows in Jaipur’s shelter house and corruption allegations in the state’s mining and PHED departments.  

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said that GST is in the interest of Rajasthan as well as the country.

"This will give a fillip to investment and development and generate more employment opportunities," Raje said in the assembly. "This would also help bring down inflation and will increase exports."

Rajasthan's Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria said that GST would help in curbing corruption.

"Transparency would increase and corrupt practices will be curbed... It is an ideal tax system," Kataria said. "It will especially help the backward states and bring unanimity in taxes among states".

The Bill was passed after 65 minutes of debate in which only Treasury Benches participated as the Opposition continued their protests in the Well of the House.

Chaos reigned as Opposition raised slogans, stormed the Well and even attempted to climb the platform where Speaker Kailash Meghwal sat, prompting the latter to call marshals to escort them out.

A scuffle broke out in the Well as marshals jostled with lawmakers.

The chaos forced the Speaker to adjourn the House thrice.

The Bill was passed unanimously after Leader of Opposition Rameshwar Lal Dudi indicated the Congress supported it.

Considered the biggest tax reform in India, the Bill seeks to bring the country under a single indirect tax regime. Odisha ratified the Bill on Thursday, making it the 16th state to do.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014, on GST was passed by Parliament recently and it needs to be ratified by at least 15 state legislatures before it is sent to the President. —  (With inputs from agencies)