image
Midnight gong to mark GST roll out; Amitabh Bachchan and Lata Mangeskar likely invited for the function
New Delhi, Jun 30 (IBNS): A gong at midnight in the Parliament House in New Delhi will mark the unveiling of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, according to media reports.
The ceremony will take place at the Central Hall of the Parliament.
Around one thousand people are expected to be present at the launch of the single tax policy that has seen a lot of debate and discussion over the past few months.
The programme for the GST roll out will begin at 11 pm on Friday and will extend beyond midnight, media reports said.
Besides President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- who will unveil the GST -- Vice President Hamid Ansari, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, Union Finance and Defence Minister Arun Jaitley and other Cabinet ministers will be present at the ceremony.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda is also expected to attend the ceremony. However, former PM Dr Manmohan Singh is likely to stay away as the Congress has boycotted the ceremony, media reports said.
Although media speculation is rife about who has been invited and who is going to attend, according to NDTV reports, industrialist Ratan Tata will be there, as will RBI governor Urjit Patel and former governors Bimal Jalan and YV Reddy.
According to media reports, actor Amitabh Bachchan and singer Lata Mangeskar have been invited among others for the special function.
Several Opposition parties, including the Congress and the TMC, have decided to boycott the midnight function. However, the government has asked the Congress to reconsider its decision, according to media reports.
According to a tweet on Friday by the Union Ministry of Finance, "The 18th GST Council Meeting will be followed by "Launch of GST” function in the Central Hall of Parliament at midnight today."
Top Headlines
-
News
PM Modi gives 'full freedom' to forces to avenge Pahalgam terror attack
April 29, 2025
-
News
Canada's Liberal Party, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is now on course to win the federal election and form the government for the fourth consecutive term, a rare event in the country's politics.
April 29, 2025
-
News
Ready to resume talks with Ukraine without preconditions: Putin tells US envoy as Trump warns of tougher actions
April 26, 2025
-
News
'Either our water will flow or their blood': Pakistan leader Bilawal Bhutto after India suspends Indus Waters Treaty
April 26, 2025
-
News
Pakistan threatens to suspend all agreements with India, including Simla Pact, after New Delhi's actions
April 24, 2025
-
News
At least 27 killed in Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, Amit Shah reaches Srinagar
April 22, 2025
-
News
Narendra Modi, Elon Musk discuss Indo-US tech collaboration
April 18, 2025
-
News
White House says China to face 245% tariff
April 16, 2025
-
News
Donald Trump's latest tariff hike on Beijing brings additional rate on some Chinese goods to 145 pct: White House
April 10, 2025
-
News
Flight carrying 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana departs US, to land in Delhi tomorrow
April 09, 2025