The long-delayed GST Constitution bill passed by the Rajya Sabha last week were unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. All the 443 members present voted in its favour. Speaking during a debate on GST Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tax reform as a ‘Great Step towards Transformation/Transparency.’

• The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in May 2015, was taken up again by the Lower House to approve the changes made in it by the Rajya Sabha last week. The government had moved six official amendments, including scrapping of 1 per cent additional tax, to the bill which were approved by the Upper House. After a six-hour debate, the Lower House passed the bill with all the 443 members present voting in favour after AIADMK members staged a walkout while opposing the measure.

• Participating in the debate in the Lok Sabha on the amendments to the GST Bill, Modi described GST as a “Great Step by Team India, Great Step towards Transformation and Great Step towards Transparency” and a big message of the uniform tax law will be that “consumer is the king”.