Following a series of new economic measures, the Centre on Sunday said it would bring in more reforms in the future, including trying to implement the goods and services tax (GST) in states that are ready to accept it.
"The reforms are on the top of the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) government's agenda. We will bring in more measures, including raising the FDI (foreign direct investment) cap to 49 per cent in insurance sector," Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Harish Rawat said.
He said the government is trying hard to bring about a consensus on the GST, the implementation of which has been considerably delayed.
"The BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is unnecessarily delaying the implementation of GST by opposing it. We are holding talks with all the BJP-ruled states," Rawat said.
However, Rawat said in case there is no consensus, the UPA government could enter into separate agreements with states which are ready to accept the measure. "At least those states which want the implementation of the GST should not suffer at the cost of BJP-ruled states," said Rawat.
When asked whether the UPA's allies are also ready for the GST, Rawat said most of the states, including Tamil Nadu and Bihar, also want the implementation of the GST.
"Barring the BJP-ruled states, the rest are in favour of implementing the GST," said Rawat.
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Rawat also said the government would bring in a separate a bill on banking sector reforms.
"Reforms are the need of the hour. We will continue our reform measures," said Rawat.