GST logjam: Naidu meets Sonia; seeks help to get bills passed

New Delhi: Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday met Congress President Sonia Gandhi and sought cooperation for the early passage of the crucial GST bill and the Real Estate bill even as he said the government was ready for an early Budget session if the parties agree. 

Naidu drove down to the residence of Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpath here early on Thursday and held discussions with her for about 20 minutes during which the Congress President is learnt to have asked him about the government's view on the three main suggestions given by the Congress on GST.

Sources said Naidu told Gandhi that issues raised by the Congress in respect of GST bill were considered by the government and the government's position was communicated to Congress leaders earlier. Regarding the Real Estate bill, Naidu told Gandhi that as decided by Congress and other parties, the Bill was referred to a select committee of Rajya Sabha and the government had accepted almost all recommendations of the committee.
Naidu told the Congress President that if required, the government will like to advance the Budget session of Parliament for early passage of these bills if political parties agree to it. The Congress President is learnt to have told Naidu that she will get back to him after consultations with her party leaders.
The Constitution Amendment bill to roll out GST is stuck in the Rajya Sabha where the ruling NDA does not have a majority of its own. The bill is being opposed by Congress although many other opposition parties are on board.
Source: PTI