GST: How Manmohan Singh saved the day for the government

The amendments sought to the GST bills in Rajya Sabha were negated with 113 voting against it. Only 9 voted in its favour.

On Thursday when the Rajya Sabha approved four GST-supporting bills, one got to witness the Congress work in tandem with the Congress. It was the advise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr Manmohan Singh which ensured that the bills were passed without any amendment.

Dr Singh advised the Congress members in the Rajya Sabha not to disturb the fine consensus that had been arrived at in the GST Council. It will send a wrong signal for a new federal framework, the former PM advised while telling Congress members such as Jairam Ramesh not to press for any amendments.

While the discussions were on Ramesh told the House that he was not moving the amendments keeping with the spirit of consensus to maintain the federal framework.
None of the Congress members such as Ramesh and Vivek Tankha moved amendments.

However the Left and Trinamool Congress leaders did press for an amendment following which a division of votes was sought on two amendments. The amendments were however negated with 113 voting against it and only 9 voting in favour.

Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley appeared relieved and after the bills were passed, he went up to the Congress benches and shook hands with Dr Singh and other Congress leaders while thanking them. It was an excellent debate, Deputy Chairman in the Rajya Sabha, P J Kurien said while congratulating all members in the House.

OneIndia News