GST Bill passage: PM Narendra Modi hails historic moment, thanks members of all parties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the passage of GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha as a historic ocassion and thanked leaders and members of all parties.

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the passage of GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha as a historic occasion and thanked leaders and members of all parties.

Soon after the passage of the Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 to facilitate rollout of GST, Modi tweeted, "On this truly historic occasion of the passage of the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha, I thank the leaders and members of all parties."

On this truly historic occasion of the passage of the GST Bill in the Rajya Sabha, I thank the leaders and members of all parties. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2016

GST will be the best example of cooperative federalism and together we will take India to new heights of progress, he added.

The much-debated Goods and Service Tax (GST) Amendments Bill was passed late Wednesday night in the Upper House after 7 hours of debate.

PM Modi further congratulated the MPs for “their path breaking decision to give India an indirect tax system for the 21st century.”

Our MPs must be congratulated for their path breaking decision to give India an indirect tax system for the 21st century. #TransformingIndia — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 3, 2016

He also stated that the passage of the GST Bill will help promote Make in India, help exports and thus boost employment while providing enhanced revenue.

"We continue to work with all parties & states to introduce a system that benefits all Indians & promotes a vibrant & unified national market," he added. 

The Constitutional Bill, passed late Wednesday night saw the main opposition, Congress and most parties on board.

The Constitution (122nd Amendment) Bill, 2014 was approved by the Upper House with 203 votes in favour and none against, after a seven-hour debate during which a rare bonhomie was witnessed among the ruling and the opposition parties.

The prime minister was however not present during the debate, an issue which was pointed out by some of the opposition leaders.