Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today attacked the Congress for blocking the Goods and Services Tax Bill, saying that obstructionist tendencies and negativism were hurting the country and its economy. <br/><br/>In a Facebook post, Mr Jaitley acknowledged that there could be merit in Congress' demand for 18 per cent rate of GST but said that NDA government did not make any drastic changes to the Bill,reminding that it was introduced under UPA rule.<br/><br/>AIR correspondent reports, saying that Congress ruled states have consistently supported the proposal, the Finance Minister asked whether it is only out of obstructionism that the Congress has adopted a negative role on the matter. Mr Jaitley said Congress may be upset with the government for political reasons, but it must understand that negativism would hurt the country and the economy. <br/><br/>Parliament needs to approve the Constitution Amendment Bill in the current session for GST rollout from first of April next year, after which half of 30 states would need to clear it. It seeks to replace all existing indirect taxes.<br/><br/>Meanwhile, the Congress has criticized Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for his remarks against the major opposition on GST bill. Senior party leader Anand Sharma alleged that the government is not serious in breaking the stalemate in Parliament. He said blame for Parliament's not functioning lies with the Prime Minister for what he called Mr Narendra Modi's arrogance. <br/><br/>Mr Sharma claimed that the credit for the work in Parliament and clearing important legislative business in last one year goes to the Opposition while the blame for the derailment of the legislative business in previous ten years lies with the BJP. Mr Sharma asked Mr Jaitley to collectively reflect and apologize for their own conduct while in opposition.