The newly-formed panel of the Congress on policy matters took a look at the amendments suggested by the Centre to the Constitutional Amendment for GST here on Monday and decided to recommend the high command that the Bill could be supported in the Rajya Sabha.

A member in the panel told BusinessLine after the meeting that Deputy Leader of the Congress in Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma briefed the members about the Centre’s amendments and said it addresses most of the concerns raised by the party during the discussions.

“The only issue is 18 per cent rate. The government is willing to consider it at a later stage when the GST Bill is drafted. After all, the Bill is our brainchild and the unanimous opinion within the panel was that the party can now support the Bill in Parliament,” the member added.

He, however, added that it was up to party President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi to take a final call on the Bill.

“Our recommendation is that the Bill can be passed. But the party has not been very happy with the way the Centre is handling the issue. The leadership will take a final decision after looking at the Centre’s amendments to the Bill,” he added.

The panel has also recommended that the Enemy Property (Amendment) Bill should be opposed as it doesn’t reflect several suggestions by the Congress members in the select committee on the Bill. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had held informal meetings with leaders of Opposition parties on the Bill.

Veto power

“The Centre does not want to do away the veto power it will enjoy in the proposed GST Council. Jaitley says that the States too will have a veto power,” a leader said.

When contacted, leaders belonging to AIADMK, BJD and CPI(M) said they will move amendments to the Bill after looking at the Centre’s amendments.

The BJP, meanwhile, has issued a whip to all its members to be present in House this week.

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