The government on Tuesday said it may reconvene Parliament’s Monsoon session to get key legislations, including the pending GST Bill passed. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said the government had an open mind on amendments to reform measures even as it began consultations with leaders of Opposition parties.
With the government having failed to get its legislative business passed in the Monsoon session, which was a near washout, Naidu met Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge and appealed to all political parties to cooperate in smooth functioning of Parliament in the “larger national interest”. Naidu, who maintained that he has already consulted leaders of a number of parties on the issue, also expressed his willingness to meet Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Vice-President Rahul Gandhi, if required to ensure a smooth running of Parliament.
“After discussions, the government shall, if required call the second part of Monsoon session to pass key legislations. I appeal to all political parties to keep in mind the national interest. Parliament should function. There is no substitute to healthy debate in <g data-gr-id="32">democracy</g>. The Bills like GST, real estate regulation Bill and Land Bill are very important. The delay in passage of the GST Bill will hamper the aspirations of people of India <g data-gr-id="30">and in particular</g> the dreams of the youth, who are thirsty for jobs,” he said. Though the dates are yet to be finalised, the Monsoon session is expected to be reconvened sometime in September, sources said.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said his party was not against the GST Bill but the support of his party, which has suggested four amendments, was vital to get it passed in the Rajya Sabha. “GST is in <g data-gr-id="36">national</g> interest but in 2011 when it was tabled in Parliament, the BJP had opposed it because of one person – the then Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi,” he said. “Today the same person advocates its importance and does not want the Congress to take credit for it,” he said, adding the GST Bill in its present form has many shortcomings.
Spelling out the details of the amendments his party wants, he said they include fixing tax rate, compensation for <g data-gr-id="28">nagarpalikas</g> and panchayats and setting up of an independent dispute settlement system. “We have told the government about these <g data-gr-id="34">amendments</g> but they have not agreed to them till now. The Goods and Service Tax should be <g data-gr-id="33">good</g> and simple tax but Modi and (Arun) Jaitley’s tax is neither good nor simple,” he said.