NDA steps back on GST to take Oppn. along

Knowing very well that it could not get the Goods and Service Tax Bill passed by the Rajya Sabha in the absence of Congress support, the NDA Government led by the BJP has decided to withdraw the additional one per cent levy. This was announced by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley following his talks with industrialists on Thursday. Services tax levy also will be less than 18%. Jaitley said the government policy was to ensure uniform taxation. `We will take the support of every party in this connection. We have taken into account the views of various State governments also. As some State governments have demanded, the additional 1% will be withdrawn. This was despite the fact that fast-developing States of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu have opposed the withdrawal. It will be good if the Opposition parties also agreed with the consensus."