Congress on Friday put forth three conditions before government to help passage of GST in Parliament, which has become deadlock between Congress and BJP over successive Sessions of Parliament.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley while talking to reporters after the meeting said that Congress will held intra-party discussion and apprise us the decision.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Former PM Manmohan Singh at with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Cabinet ministers Arun jaitley and Venkaiah Naidu also present (Photo: PIB)
“There was detailed discussion with Congress on GST. There were 3 suggestions put forward by Congress leaders,” Finance Minister Arun jaitley said.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi after he invited both the leaders for the tea at his official &RCR residence in New Delhi.
Reports say that besides key issues, the leaders also discussed GST bill that is pending in Parliament.
Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu were also present at the meeting.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma said that government will also seriously reflect on demands of Congress over passage of GST.
“It has been agreed that we as Congress, will have our own internal discussion and deliberations,” Sharma said.
Earlier, reaching out to the main opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had invited Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh earlier in the day to discuss various issues like GST.
The meeting assumes significance as the Government and the Congress are at loggerheads which is stalling the passage of crucial legislations like the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had yesterday said that the Prime Minister is willing to speak to everyone to get the landmark indirect tax law through.
Jaitley, who needs Parliament approval for GST Bill in the winter session to roll out the new indirect tax regime as planned from April 1, said he has spoken to “almost all Congress leaders” on the issue.
“We have absolutely no hesitation even at the level of Prime Minister. We have never had in it in the past, we don’t have it (now). He is willing to speak to everyone,” he had said.
Congress had stalled passage of the GST Constitution Amendment Bill in the last session of Parliament over its demand that a revenue-neutral rate not higher than 18 per cent be mentioned in it. It is also opposed to states being given powers to levy additional 1 per cent tax on supply of goods over and above GST rate.