Parties favour taking GST to 'logical conclusion': Ananth Kumar

All parties have made it clear that the long-pending GST Bill should be "taken to a logical conclusion" in the ongoing Monsoon Session and the government is keen to run "extra mile" to ensure its early passage by Rajya Sabha, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar said on Monday.

"I should say there is a positive atmosphere. Everybody seems to say that we should take it (GST) to a logical conclusion in this session," the minister told reporters here.

He said this spirit is in line with the statement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the all-party meeting that no party should crave for "credit" for the uniform tax bill but should rather see it in the context of larger interest of the country's economy.

Kumar yet again exuded confidence that there has been "forward movement" in the last few days on the long-pending Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, saying: "The government has also said very clearly that we will run extra mile and shall reach out to the opposition parties."

"We have open mind to respond to all issues those will be raised by members during the discussion," he said.

Asked to comment whether government is keen to convene an all-party meeting as being demanded by some parties like the Communist Party of India - Marxist (CPI-M), Kumar said the treasury bench floor managers would talk to opposition parties including Congress and all others.

At this, Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs S.S. Ahluwalia, who was also present, said: "We will talk to them as and when talks are necessary and possible."

Asked where really the GST break through is "stuck", Kumar said, he is not keen to answer that question but will only maintain that talks are on.

He indicated that yet another round of crucial talks between Congress and BJP is possible at the earliest.

BJP sources said Congress has sought more time as they wanted to have some more internal discussions on the GST.

--IANS

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