Parliament's Monsoon Session Begins Today, PM Narendra Modi Appeals For GST Bill

As sparks are set to fly in the Parliament over a range of issues, the bill for the introduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) across the country remains a priority. The Government has listed around a dozen bills pending introduction, consideration and passage during the monsoon session of Parliament, starting today.

Two bills are pending passage in the Lok Sabha, while seven bills are pending in the Rajya Sabha, including the GST Bill.

At an all-party meeting convened by the government on Sunday, a day before Parliament meets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "GST is of national importance. Issue is not which government gets credit. Important Bills, including GST will be taken up in the monsoon session and I hope for meaningful discussions and outcomes."

He urged all the political parties to keep national interests above any other considerations. "We represent both the people and parties and there is a need to keep national interests above anything else".

The Congress said it will support bills but based on merit, offering no assurance on the GST, saying it will take a stand only after the government gives it a "written draft" over concerns raised by it.

With the continuing protests in Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani expected to generate heat in Parliament, PM Modi commended political parties for speaking in "one voice" over the issue.

"Various parties have given statements on Kashmir events which benefitted the country. This has sent a right message and I thank all the parties for the same," he said.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Ghulam Nabi Azad said there should be a discussion in the Parliament on the tense situation in Kashmir and that government should provide an anwser.

The government's unsuccessful NSG bid, floods in some states, agrarian crisis and terrorism were among the other main issues raised by opposition leaders at the meeting.

The last few sessions of Parliament have seen frequent face-offs between the ruling and the opposition benches but the second part of the Budget Session saw a relative improvement as far as the completion of government business was concerned.