Sitharaman said the bill proposes crucial reforms based on steps such as track-and-trace system.

NEW DELHI: Rajya Sabha on Tuesday returned to Lok Sabha the Manipur GST bill, which replaces an ordinance to implem-ent GST reforms in the state, with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman asserting that the bill will benefit people and businesses. She also hit out at the opposition. “Throughout 2024, we saw the opposition shedding crocodile tears about Manipur for everything. They raised issues, they voiced their concerns, and shed crocodile tears. I have seen it earlier as well — when we brought the bill for Manipur’s budget, the opposition did not participate in the debate. Even at that time, they didn’t think about the welfare of the people of Manipur,” the finance minister said.As the discussion on the bill was initiated, opposition parties staged a walkout over the govt not providing a timeline for a discussion on SIR. The treasury benches insisted on having first a scheduled discussion on 150 years of Vande Mataram after which a discussion on “electoral reforms” could be taken up.“Even today, when we are trying to convert an ordinance into a regular bill and get it passed here to become an Act, the opposition is not here to participate,” she said while replying to the discussion in the upper House, a day after the bill was cleared by Lok Sabha. “So, all the grievances that they voice about Manipur, accusing the PM and the home minister, is all just drama. I am ashamed and sorry to say this. The opposition should play a constructive role,” the minister said.She said the bill proposes crucial reforms based on steps such as track and trace system.