In a move to reach out to the main opposition for the passage of key legislations in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi Friday evening. They discussed the issues related to important bills including Goods and Services Tax (GST). Talking to reporters after the meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, the two Congress leaders raised their party's position on three issues on GST, and the government also put forth its view. He said, Mrs Gandhi and Dr Singh would discuss within the party the government's response, after which there would be another round of meeting.<br/><br/>The Minister said, Mr Modi talked about pending legislative business and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu will hold consultations with floor leaders of the Congress.<br/><br/>Congress said that the meeting was constructive and the party clearly explained its position on the GST. Talking to reporters, party leader Anand Sharma said, Congress has always favoured the country to have a GST, which is a driver of economic growth. He said, three demands raised by them were – scrapping of one percent surcharge, capping of the GST, and meaningful dispute resolution mechanism.<br/><br/>The meeting was significant as the government and the Congress are at loggerheads on the passage of crucial legislations like GST. Congress had stalled passage of the GST Bill in the last session objecting to some provisions of the bill.

In a move to reach out to the main opposition for the passage of key legislations in Parliament, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with Congress President Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh at his residence in New Delhi Friday evening. They discussed the issues related to important bills including Goods and Services Tax (GST). Talking to reporters after the meeting, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, the two Congress leaders raised their party's position on three issues on GST, and the government also put forth its view. He said, Mrs Gandhi and Dr Singh would discuss within the party the government's response, after which there would be another round of meeting.<br/><br/>The Minister said, Mr Modi talked about pending legislative business and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu will hold consultations with floor leaders of the Congress.<br/><br/>Congress said that the meeting was constructive and the party clearly explained its position on the GST. Talking to reporters, party leader Anand Sharma said, Congress has always favoured the country to have a GST, which is a driver of economic growth. He said, three demands raised by them were – scrapping of one percent surcharge, capping of the GST, and meaningful dispute resolution mechanism.<br/><br/>The meeting was significant as the government and the Congress are at loggerheads on the passage of crucial legislations like GST. Congress had stalled passage of the GST Bill in the last session objecting to some provisions of the bill.