Ahead of Monsoon Session today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the successful launch of the Goods and Services Tax would infuse fresh energy in the Parliament session.

Giving a new definition of the Goods and Services Tax, PM Modi said, "GST means Going Stronger Together". Modi also said, "Just as rain brings typical fragrance from the earth, the successful launch of the GST would give new enthusiasm to the Monsoon Session."

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) was launched on July 1 at the special midnight session of Parliament.

In a series of posts on Twitter, PM Modi further said, "Today the Monsoon Session begins. Like the Monsoon brings hope, this session also brings same spirit of hope. GST shows the good that can be achieved when all parties come together and work for the nation."

"The GST spirit is about growing stronger together. I hope the same GST spirit prevails in the session," read another tweet of Prime Minister Modi.

The GST spirit is about growing stronger together. I hope the same GST spirit prevails in the session: PM @narendramodi - PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 17, 2017

The Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today and will continue till August 11. The session will have 19 sittings.

MONSOON SESSION: THINGS TO KNOW Both Houses of Parliament will take up obituary references today and may not transact business due to the death of some sitting members. Two Rajya Sabha members - former Union minister Anil Madhav Dave and Congress member Palvai Govardhan Reddy - died during the interregnum period after the budget session while sitting Gurdaspur Lok Sabha member Vinod Khanna also diedduring that period. Opposition is united on several issues to corner the Modi government. Opposition is likely to raise the heat on the government over issues like lynching incidents and vigilantism, the Kashmir situation and the border stand-off with China during the monsoon session of Parliament that begins today. The session is also likely to witness heated debates on other key issues like the fallout of the GST, the agrarian crisis and the policy towards Pakistan. Some parties are likely to raise the issue of a ban on sale of cattle for slaughter in animal markets and demand an explanation from the government on it. "We will try and put the government on the mat and demand answers on some key issues that are posing a threat to thecountry's social harmony," a senior opposition leader said. CPI leader D Raja said the opposition "will seek answers from the government on what they are doing to check rising incidents of cow vigilantism and lynchings in the country that pose grave danger to the social harmony of the country and the idea of India". The government, on its part, is seeking the cooperation of opposition in getting key legislative business passed and has lined up around two dozen bills in the session. The increased opposition synergy comes at a time when 18 parties have come together under one platform to pin the government on some key issues. The parties came together on the presidential and vice presidential election, but are keen to take the unity further in raising issues in Parliament. A structured meeting within the Congress on the party's strategy in the coming session is slated for today as the session is unlikely to transact much business due to the presidential election. Another joint meeting of opposition leaders is slated the next day for putting in place their strategy for the session. "The government would want the monsoon session of Parliament to be fruitful and constructive. We will also ensure good coordination and communication with the opposition to help get legislative business passed during the session. "If the opposition demands a discussion on some current issues, we will discuss the same in the business advisory committee and the chairman will decide the time and date of discussion," Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told PTI. Issues like the flood situation particularly in Assam and other northeastern states, violence over Gorkhaland, fallout of demonetisation, job losses and disinvestment of PSUs are also likely to be raised.

(With PTI inputs)

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