GST roll-out less likely by April 2016: Goyal

The Union Minister of State for Power, Piyush Goyal, on Friday maintained that the roll-out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) across the country may take longer due to disruptive politics by the Opposition Congress.

Speaking with the media here, Goyal said, "Congress is insulting the people of the country by disrupting the legislative business in the just-concluded Parliament session. In the last three weeks, the Opposition has raked up issues that are unsubstantial and has stalled the development work that the current government has taken up. As a result, there are less possibilities of implementing Goods and Service Tax (GST) law by April 2016, but the government will work out alternative ways to ensure people get its benefits."

However, he did not specify the alternative ways. He also ruled out a possibility of Ordinance route for GST. "Constitutional amendments cannot be implemented by Ordinances. The Finance Minister (Arun Jaitley) will think over it (GST) and come out with an alternative at an appropriate time."

Goyal alleged that the Opposition Congress was trying to take revenge of its 2014 Lok Sabha elections defeat by stalling the Parliament work. "They are doing this to create an impression that the Modi government is not working."

The Minister further expressed concerns about constant disruption in Parliament by Congress. "If this attitude continues, these hindrances will definitely slow us down in fulfilling people's dreams and our promises to them," he said.

Goyal was in the town as part of BJP's nation-wide strategy to 'expose' the Congress' disruptive politics by stalling Parliament.

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