Chances grow of thaw on GST bill

Congress wants debate on intolerance

Sounding conciliatory ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament beginning Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi sought the cooperation of the Opposition for the early passage of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill. Even while the Opposition is pressing for a debate on the issue of alleged intolerance, the government stated after an all-party meeting that it would reach out to the Congress for a dialogue on the GST Bill. The Congress, in turn, has also stated that the party supports the GST but has a few “genuine” concerns.

“The Prime Minister told the all-party meeting that the GST Bill is in the interest of the nation. He assured that Mr Jaitely will speak to parties concerned,” parliamentary affairs minister M. Venklaiah Naidu, who hosted the meeting, said.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan also hosted an all-party meeting ahead of the Winter Session. She reportedly sought the cooperation of all members of the Lower House for the smooth and cordial functioning of the Lok Sabha.

The ruling NDA alliance decided, in a meeting, that it will not be defensive on the intolerance issue but will be aggressive if the Opposition tries to corner it on the subject. A meeting of the BJP Parliamentary Party executive also took place and was attended, among others, by party veterans L.K. Advani and M.M. Joshi, who had questioned the party high command over the poll debacle in Bihar.

The NDA heaved a sigh of relief after the JD(U) reiterated its support for the GST. JD(U) chief Sharad Yadav came out in the open in support of the GST after the all-party meeting. The Trinamul Congress and BJD have already extended their support to the GST Bill.

However, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said the Centre should hold talks with the states on the GST Bill in view of the fact that they would lose all legislative power over tax matters once it came into force.

Besides the GST, the government would also be looking to push a slew of legislative proposals, including the Real Estate Regulation Bill.

There are apprehensions that both Houses of Parliament would resonate with recent incidents, like the Dadri killing, rationalist M.M. Kalburgi’s murder and other such incidents which have led people to allege that intolerance is rising.

“The government is particularly aware of the Opposition’s concerns over some unfortunate incidents that have happened in recent weeks, including the Dadri incident and the killing of M.M. Kalburgi. The government has condemned those incidents as they go against the traditional and highly cherished values of tolerance,” said Mr Naidu.

Meanwhile, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who was in Bengaluru, said, “We are going to raise the issue of intolerance. What is happening in the country is disturbing and the Prime Minister is silent.”

During the NDA meeting, the PM asked Mr Naidu to evolve a mechanism for NDA meetings to be held every two months. The BJP’s allies have often called for more regular meetings of the NDA.

The SAD leaders, meanwhile, pitched for an amendment to the SGPC Act and home minister Rajnath Singh assured them that it would be looked into.