Rehearsals, lights, central hall clean-up: How GST launch function will unfold

The GST is meant to boost growth and scrap local taxes that add to overhead costs and stymie businesses.

After 17 tumultuous years, a nationwide Goods and Services Tax (GST) will see the light of day at midnight tonight.

Traffic flows in front of Parliament House before the start of monsoon session in New Delhi. (HT File Photo)

To make the occasion a memorable one, Parliament officials are not leaving anything to chance. A full rehearsal was conducted ahead of the function. Officers from various departments, including those from the finance ministry, attended the rehearsal event.

Parliament has been decorated with festival lights and the circular-shaped Central Hall has got a makeover for the function that 800 guests are expected to attend.

Programme for the event:

10.55 pm: President Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Parliament House, to be received by Prime Minister Modi and his cabinet ministers

11 pm: President arrives in Central Hall

11.01 pm: Playing of national anthem

11.02 pm: Felicitation and introductory remarks by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley

11.10 pm: Two short films will be screened

11.15 pm: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech

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11.45 pm: Address by the President of India

12 midnight: Launch of GST

12.04 am: Playing of national anthem

12.05 am: President leaves Central Hall of Parliament

Expected to be present

Vice President Hamid Ansari, Speaker of the Lok Sabha Sumitra Mahajan , Janata Dal (Secular) leader and former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan, business tycoon Ratan Tata, former Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, BJP’s Sushil Kumar Modi.

Those who will skip

The Congress, Trinamool Congress, Lalu’s Rashtriya Janata Dal, DMK. Nitish Kumar will not attend, but will send a minister.