New Delhi, September 9

The chances of an early passage of the key economic reform Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill receded today with the Narendra Modi government deciding against reconvening a session of Parliament.

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned on August 13 but were not prorogued since the government was hoping to arrive at a political understanding with the Congress, whose support is crucial in the Rajya Sabha for the passage of the constitutional amendment Bill.

By not proroguing the Houses, the government could have called a session at a short notice. While declaring its intention to support a Bill originally introduced by the previous Manmohan Singh government but with a rider, virtually threw a spanner in the wheel. The Congress demands its suggestions be incorporated, which has not been found agreeable by the government.

In addition, the Congress said its demand raised during the monsoon session for the resignations of the Union Ministers Sushma Swaraj, Chief Ministers Vasundhara Raje of Rajasthan and Shivraj Singh Chauhan of Madhya Pradesh, too remains intact.

Announcing the decision, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs that met today decided to recommend to the President that the Houses be prorogued.

“We will keep trying. We are in contact with all political parties. And nearly all parties except Congress are in favour of this Bill. In the Lok Sabha, except Congress all political parties had voted in favour of the Bill. Congress had walked out, but they (other parties) had not walked out. If situation changes, the Cabinet will reconsider the matter,” he said.

The Congress approach, he said, was to veto the passage by disturbing the House and force the Chair to adjourn the proceedings.

Asked if the government would be unable to roll out the biggest tax reform measure by April 1, 2016, the Finance Minister said: “Your guess is as good as mine”. He, however, indicated that the Congress which enjoys numerical superiority would lose the advantage by next year, opening a window for the government to push forward the legislation.