PM Modi also acknowledged that the passage of the GST Bill cannot be solely seen as a victory for the BJP. (Source: ANI/Twitter) PM Modi also acknowledged that the passage of the GST Bill cannot be solely seen as a victory for the BJP. (Source: ANI/Twitter)

The GST Bill amendments adopted by the Rajya Sabha last week were unanimously passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. All the 443 members present voted in its favour. Speaking during a debate on GST Bill, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the tax reform as a ‘Great Step towards Transformation/Transparency.’

Saying that he had held extensive consultations with Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh, the prime minister told the House that “Lok Tantra” is not just a game of mandate, it is also a journey of forming consensus. “I held consultations with Sonia ji and Manmohan Singh Ji. We made efforts to take into consideration everyone’s suggestions,” Modi said.

PM Modi also acknowledged that the passage of the GST Bill cannot be solely seen as a victory for the BJP. “It’s true that someone gives ‘birth’ while someone else ‘nurtures it’. It is not a victory of a particular political party,” Modi said in the Lok Sabha.

Modi went on to add that the states are not self-sufficient but are interdependent. He said that GST would boost the economy of under developed states. “My experience as CM has helped me understand the problems of the states very well,” Modi said.

Modi said that “faith” is very important to strengthen federal structure of India and GST will act as a catalyst in this regard. “It is true that consumer states will benefit more from GST, but Centre will compensate manufacturing States in case of losses,” Modi said.

Modi also said that GST would help achieve the government’s aim of empowering the poor. “Our aim is Economical and educational empowerment of the poor. GST can help us achieve this aim,” said PM Modi in Lok Sabha.

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After passage of the bill by Parliament, Congress vice-president Rahul Ganhi told media that GST is a good step for the country. The GST Bill was passed last week by the Rajya Sabha and it was sent back to the lower house for discussion. The Bill now must be ratified by at least half of the country’s state assemblies for it to become a law.

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