What all events will take place at the GST launch programme?
The GST launch event, scheduled for 11 pm at the Parliament House tonight, will start with the national anthem, followed by remarks by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. A film and presentation on GST will be screened, lasting about five minutes. It will be followed by an address by the Prime Minister and the President, after which GST will be launched.
The stage is all set for the rollout of the major indirect tax reform measure - Goods and Services Tax (GST) - in Parliament's Central Hall tonight amid boycott by the Congress, the Trinamool and other opposition parties.The launch will take place at the stroke of midnight after speeches by President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Members of Parliament, Chief Ministers and state Finance Ministers besides a host of industralists and legal luminaries.Special Function for #gstrollout to be held in historic Central Hall of Parliament House from 2300 hrs onwards today. #GST@S_MahajanLSpic.twitter.com/fa3eEGPWUMThe hour-long event seeks to evoke memories of the "Tryst with Destiny" moment of 1947 when India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru made his famous speech to mark India's independence.Here's the programme for the event tonight:10.55 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Parliament House, to be received by Modi and other ministers10.59 pm: Announcement by Marshal of the special meeting in Central Hall11 pm: President arrives in Central Hall11.01 pm: Playing of national anthem11.02 pm: Felicitation and introductory remarks by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley11.10 pm: Film and presentation on GST11.15 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech11.45 pm: Address by the President of India12 midnight: Launch of GST12.03 am: Announcement by Marshal of closing of the meeting12.04 am: Playing of national anthem12.05 am: President leaves Central Hall of ParliamentWatch India Today-Aaj Tak's GST Midnight Conclave LIVE here.ALSO READ Parliament's midnight session on GST an insult to 1947: CongressGST FAQ: Answers to all your questions about India's biggest tax reformGST Bill: How goods and services tax regime will impact your life