We will talk to all parties on GST and seek a consensus for its passage: PM Modi

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the government will talk to all parties on GST and seek a consensus for its passage.

PM Modi said this while attending the BJP Parliamentary Party Executive meet in New Delhi.

Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters that Modi explained to NDA leaders the importance of the GST bill and the need to pass it.

"All parties (of NDA) are together on the GST bill. The PM explained to them its importance and the need to pass it," he said.

According to official sources, the government will hold more meetings with Opposition parties to build a consensus on the GST bill.

"On our part, we have made it clear to all political parties that we are ready for more discussions and have an open mind. We are ready to go the extra mile to build consensus over the GST bill," a senior minister said after the meeting.

"All political parties appear positive for passing the GST bill," he said.

Meanwhile, Union Ministers Arun Jaitley and Ananth Kumar on Friday met Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Anand Sharma to help break the impasse on it.

During the meeting, that lasted about 45 minutes, the two sides put forth their points of view and after discussing the issue with their respective parties, decided to meet again once the Monsoon session that kicked off today.

The GST bill has been hanging fire for a long time due to stiff opposition from Congress.

The Constitution amendment bill for roll-out of GST is pending in Rajya Sabha for a long time and the government is keen to ensure its passage.

The Goods and Services Tax seeks to bring a uniform tax structure subsuming a number of imposts and the government claims that it will help add 1 to 2 per cent to the country's GDP.

With PTI Inputs