Rajya Sabha to work from Monday, GST bill not on agenda

The central government on Friday partially succeeded in breaking the logjam in the Rajya Sabha after an all-party meet convened by Chairman Hamid Ansari ended on a positive note - but the GST Bill will not be taken up in the current session, a minister said.

"The meeting was positive," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told reporters after the all-party meeting.

He, however, added that the response of the Congress on the GST bill was not favourable. "The response of the main opposition party on GST bill was not favourable," he said.

Naqvi said an agreement was reached on passing other bills and all parties agreed the house will sit till late and complete the work.

"Legislations related to the poor and ST/SCs will be taken up for discussion and passing," he added.

Amid continuous disruptions in the Rajya Sabha, Ansari called an all-party meeting on Friday afternoon to break the logjam.

The house is facing disruptions on several issues, blocking the passage of key legislation, including the GST bill.

The government is now looking to get the GST bill passed in the budget session next year, as highly placed sources said the numbers in support will increase in April.

Only three business days are left in the winter session of parliament and the government is pushing hard to pass some bills.