Govt trying to bring consensus on GST: Rawat

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The government on Monday said it is trying to build a consensus on implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in the country and was talking to the BJP ruled states in this regard.

"BJP is unnecessarily causing hurdles to implement GST. But we are talking to all BJP ruled states to get their support so that a consensus could be arrived at on the issue," Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State for Agriculture Harish Rawat said here.

However, he said the Congress led UPA government would implement GST in those states who are ready to accept it, if the talks on reaching a consensus for its implementation failed.

Rawat said, "We are of the opinion that the states who are ready to implement GST should not bear any loss if BJP-ruled states are against it."

In reply to a question, he said most of the allies of UPA are in favour of implementing GST. He said Tamil Nadu and Bihar are also willing to come on board.

He said, "Barring the states ruled by BJP, most of the other states are in favour of implementing GST."

Referring to recent steps taken by the government to boost the economy, he said the country needs to take more such measures in the future to further strengthen the economy.

The minister said,"Economic reforms is the top most agenda of the UPA government. More such proposals such as raising the foreign direct investment limit to 49 per cent in the insurance sector will be taken up."

Moreover, the government will bring a separate Bill in the Parliament for banking sector reforms, Rawat added.