Open for discussions: Cong on GST

Congress today said that it was open for discussions on GST bill on which it has "very genuine concerns".
"We are open for discussions. Let us see how far they go ahead," Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad told reporters adding that the party was ready for long but the government failed to have any consultations so far.
Addressing a joint press conference along with the leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on the eve of the Winter Session of Parliament, he said, "GST is our bill" and the stand has been voiced by various leaders including Rahul Gandhi more than once.

Noting that Congress has "very genuine concerns" on the measure, he insisted that the party wanted a pro-industry, pro-trade and pro-consumer GST which is "neither one sided, nor lop sided and help all three sectors".
Azad said that in the all-party meeting convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, he confronted Finance Minister Arun Jaitley with his two reported statements on the issue of Congress stand on the GST.
While one statement spoke of government planning to reach out to the Opposition, the other dismissed Congress objections as "preposterous", Azad said, adding that the government then told the Opposition that the issue would be discussed with them.

"We would like to support each and every bill on merit. Our concerns should be taken on board. For us each legislation is important," was the refrain of Azad and Kharge.