New Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar on Wednesday outlined passage of the GST Bill as his priority saying the whole country is in favour of it. He said the Bill’s passage is “very important” for which the Government will talk to all political parties to get it passed in the coming session of the Parliament.
“GST is a very important Bill. The whole country is in favour of passing this bill as early as possible. We will talk, discuss and request all political parties that this bill should be passed in this session (Monsoon), so that it can be implemented as early as possible,” he told newspersons after assuming his new charge.
The Parliament session is to start from July 18.
Kumar was given the portfolio in the reshuffle of Ministries by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday. He replaces Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
On the Congress’ opposition to the GST, Kumar said he and his deputies in the Ministry, SS Ahluwalia and Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, will work to fulfill the responsibilities given to them by Modi.
“There are bills which need to be passed in this session as they are of immense significance from the country’s economic point of view. Therefore, we will discuss and talk with all political parties for passing of those bills in this session.
“Our aim will be to make the legislation smoother and faster so that it can expedite economic growth of the country and from which even people at the bottom of pyramid can get maximum benefit,” he said.
Naidu, who was also there, said the Parliament passed a “record” number of bills in the last two years term.