GST to bring financial equality in country: PM Modi

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Prime Minster Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that the Goods and Service Tax (GST) Bill will take India closer to achieving financial equality, adding that the Bill is an important legislation for "ek bharat shreshth bharat (One India Excellent India)" initiative.

Addressing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers, Prime Minister Modi said his government's prime objective has been financial inclusion and 'Jan Dhan Yojana' and the GST will help the government achieve its objective.

"Through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, we brought poor people to the financial mainstream and spread the message of equality. Likewise under the GST, through a unified tax regime, India will be a step closer in achieving financial equality," he said.

Prime Minister Modi said the GST will come to fruition on Monday, when the Bill is expected to be tabled again in the Lok Sabha to discuss the amendments made by the Rajya Sabha.

He expressed gratitude to the opposition parties for helping the government to take such an important decision, which will help India progress rapidly.

"I am thankful to all the political parties, who helped the government to take an important decision," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take part in the Lok Sabha, where the Bill will be tabled for the discussion.

The opposition had attacked the Prime minister for not intervening during the debate on the Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it was the first occasion in independent India that the Prime Minister was not present during the passage of a Constitution Amendment Bill. He dubbed it as "PM-mukt Parliament".

Meanwhile, the BJP has cracked a whip on its members asking them to be present in the Lower House on August 8.