Ananth Kumar was given the Parliamentary Affairs portfolio in the reshuffle of ministries by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. He replaces Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu. (File photo)
The whole country is in favour of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar today claimed and said passage of this "very important" bill will be his priority for which government will talk to all political parties.
"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 reporters after assuming his new charge.
Mr Kumar was given the portfolio in the reshuffle of ministries by Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday. He replaces Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu.
Asked about Congress' opposition to the GST, Mr 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 PM Modi.
The Parliament Session is going to start from July 18.
"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.
Mr Naidu, who was also there, said Parliament passed "record" number of bills in the last two years term.
"We tried and succeeded in running Parliament smoothly," he said.