No breakthrough on GST in Modi-Congress meet, more talks soon

New Delhi, Nov 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met his predecessor Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi to discuss the contentious Goods and Services Tax (GST) bill and though no breakthrough was achieved, they agreed to meet again to break the deadlock.

"The Congress party leaders put forth their position with regard to the three issues of the bill, which they felt are of concern to them. The history and background of the legislation and the government's response to three issues in detail was explained to them," Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was also present in the meeting, told reporters after it concluded.

"The Congress party leaders would be discussing it within their own party and there would be after sometime a fresh contact between the government and them to discuss the subject further," he added.

Jaitley said the government has also considered the position the opposition has taken.

The prime minister had invited the Congress leaders to discuss issues pending before parliament, particularly a large amount of legislative business that has accumulated over the last two sessions.

"Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu will be in touch with the leaders of Congress party in both the houses of parliament to discuss each one of the specific legislations so that work could proceed in parliament next week," Jaitley said.

Apart from Jaitley, Naidu was also present during the meeting.

IANS