Modi government yet again pins hope on GST bill passage in budget session

Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government yet again pinned hopes on passage of GST bill in Rajya Sabha.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said the government would leave no stone unturned to get the GST bill passed in the budget session, which would begin after February 20.

"We need to pass GST bill. If we pass GST, it will revolutionise taxation system and according to experts, it will increase our revenue by 1.5 to 2 per cent. It is a very vital reform that is needed in the taxation structure," said Naidu.

The minister is in touch with different parties, especially the Congress to break the deadlock and get the GST bill passed.

In this regard, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also met his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi and understood their concerns.

"There is tremendous public opinion building up across the country in favour of GST.I hope other parties will realise the importance of GST and support," said Naidu.

"I appeal to all parties, including major opposition party Congress, please see reason and support this bill so that we can bring forward, country and states can prosper," he said.

Clarifying on media reports about him having called an "all-party meeting" regarding the schedule for the budget session, he said it was an informal meeting with leaders of some political parties in states where polls are slated soon.

"Taking the views of those parties who have large presence in those states is important. So I informally called them to take their views in order to finalise the schedule of the budget session," he added.