Govt confident of GST passage in monsoon session

New Delhi, June 29: Confident of garnering support of some Opposition parties for the GST Bill, the government on Wednesday asserted it has “enough” numbers forpassageof thecruciallegislation in the monsoon session of Parliament which will commence on July 18.

Afterameetingof theCabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs (CCPA), chairedbyhomeministerRajnath Singh, parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu said, “We have a wider support and we have enough numbers for GST but we would like to have all parties on board because it will have an effect on states.”

The session will conclude onAugust12andtherewillbe atotalof 20workingdaysduring it. Naidu said the session could also be extended or curtailed by two-three days depending on requirement. He said that the government wants to get the bill passed by consensus and is making efforts in that direction but asserted that even if consensus is not there, “we must get it approved in this session”.

Since GST is a Constitution Amendment Bill, supportof two-thirdof RajyaSabhamembersisrequiredforits passage. It means the governmentwillrequire164votes.

Speaking separately, BJP sources said that after the recent Rajya Sabha polls, the scenario has tilted in favour of the ruling alliance.

A source said BJP’s strength has now risen to 54 from 46 and the total strength of pro-GST members from the ruling alliance, supporting independents and nominated members, will be about 81.

Besides, the ruling allianceisalsoconfidentof support of around 76 members from parties including SP, Trinamool Congress, JD(U), BJD, BSP, NCP, DMK, RJD, TRS,INLD,IUML,JMM,Kerala Congress, JD(S) and YSR Congress. PTI