NEW DELHI : The Rajya Sabha on December 2 returned the Manipur GST Bill to the Lok Sabha, paving the way for the northeastern state’s transition into the nationwide GST 2.0 reforms framework. The legislation, which replaces an existing Ordinance, was passed by the Lok Sabha a day earlier.

Replying to the debate in the Upper House, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the bill would finally extend long-pending GST benefits to the people and businesses of Manipur, strengthening revenue mobilisation in a state still recovering from prolonged conflict.

She criticised the Opposition for “shedding crocodile tears” over Manipur while skipping key parliamentary debates on the state’s financial and administrative matters. “Every time about Manipur they will raise these issues… total crocodile tears,” she said, adding that the reforms would remove tax ambiguities and align Manipur with systems already functional across the country.

Sitharaman highlighted that GST 2.0 introduces measures such as track-and-trace systems and restructured tax slabs. She noted that the earlier 28 per cent slab had been abolished, with several goods shifted to the 18 per cent category.

These changes, she said, would ease compliance, increase transparency and boost the state’s revenues-particularly crucial at a time when Manipur has been under President’s Rule.

During the discussion, BJD MP Sulata Deo urged the Centre to lift President’s Rule and ensure early elections in Manipur. She also pointed out that India once had the world’s highest GST rate at 28 per cent, surpassing even countries like Argentina.

Supporting the bill, YSRCP MP Ayodhya Rami Reddy Alla said streamlined compliance processes and improved transparency would enable Manipur to focus on long-term development and integrate more effectively with national economic priorities.

Citing official data, he noted that violent incidents in Manipur had decreased significantly from 740 in 2008 to 97 in 2020, but the trend reversed in 2023, with nearly 260 deaths reported by April 2025. Sustainable peace, he stressed, would require addressing deep-rooted inequalities between hill and valley regions and between majoritarian and tribal communities.

Nominated member Harsh Vardhan Shringla also backed the legislation, saying a predictable GST regime would help attract investment, improve fiscal stability and support economic recovery in a state still grappling with ethnic violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups. Since May 2023, over 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced due to the continuing conflict.

With the Rajya Sabha returning the bill, it will now go back to the Lok Sabha for final procedural approval before becoming law.

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi Hold Strategy Session with Assam Congress on Election Preparedness, Voter Roll Revision

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and former party chief Rahul Gandhi met senior leaders of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) in New Delhi on Tuesday to review preparations for the state’s upcoming assembly elections and assess the progress of the ongoing Special Revision (SR) of electoral rolls.

The meeting was attended by Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, Assam PCC president Gaurav Gogoi, AICC in-charge Jitendra Singh and Congress Legislature Party leader Debabrata Saikia. Discussions centred on organisational readiness, voter roll management and key issues influencing the political landscape ahead of the 2026 polls.

Assam is expected to go to the polls in March or April next year, and party sources said the leadership examined detailed strategies to synchronise campaign planning with the electoral roll revision process.

The Special Revision exercise is currently underway across the state, with the Congress keen on ensuring accurate, comprehensive and compliant voter lists.

Leaders emphasised the need to align internal preparations with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines, especially as the Commission has designated 1 January 2026 as the qualifying date for the Special Revision. This date will determine voter eligibility and is considered crucial for ensuring the credibility of the upcoming electoral process.

Officials overseeing the revision have clarified that the current SR exercise falls between the routine annual summary revision and the more extensive Special Intensive Revision (SIR). The aim is to strike a balance-enhancing voter list accuracy without the logistical burden of a fully intensive revision.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission last month ordered Special Intensive Revision in 12 states and Union Territories, including four that will head to the polls next year. In Assam, both political parties and election authorities are gearing up to ensure a smooth, transparent and well-managed electoral process in 2026.

With the assembly elections drawing closer, Tuesday’s meeting signals the Congress high command’s intent to strengthen groundwork, streamline organisational coordination and sharpen its electoral strategy in the politically crucial northeastern state.