GST Bill flawed, shouldn’t be passed: Chidambaram

NEW DELHI: Former finance minister P Chidambaram said the current version of constitutional amendment bill to introduce a Goods and Services Tax (GST) is flawed on at least three counts. Therefore, it should not be passed in its current form, he said.
Participating in a panel discussion following the launch of his book, Chidambaram said it would be a pity if the constitutional amendment bill is passed on the strength of a majority in parliament rather than strength of its content.
Another panelist, Pavan K Varma, a RS member representing JD(U), felt the NDA government was not enthusiastic about the passage of the bill. In support of his contention, he said there were not enough “structured negotiations” between government and opposition on the bill to suggest enthusiasm on the part of NDA.
Varma claimed that the stalemate in parliament over the GST bill suited government as it could be used as an alibi in the event of a lacklustre economic performance.