Discussions on economy, GST good for democracy: Naidu

Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu today said discussions on the economy and GST should carry on, stressing that such debates were always good for democracy.
In the long run, GST would be beneficial for all, the vice president asserted.
"Discussions are going on about the country, its economy and also GST - its effects, after-effects and side-effects. Let the discussions go on. It is always good for democracy," Naidu said at the International Conference on Technological Advancements in Railway and Metro Projects.
Speaking on a day when the GST council is meeting in Delhi, the VP said people must understand that any transformation or reformation faces "some initial hiccups, some teething troubles".

"But at the end of the day, the PM's mantra of reform, perform and transform has a meaning," he said, adding that GST was India's most revolutionary tax reform ever.
Quoting news reports, Naidu said the World Bank and big multinational companies had also endorsed GST and said future generations of Indians would be happy with the tax reform.
He also said the political debate on GST should be allowed to go on and the government of the day would note the positive and the critical points and then "take corrective measures".
"With about 8 lakh crore brand investments opening up FDI in rail infrastructure and the implementation of GST, I am sure the Indian Railways, particularly long-distance transport, will stand to benefit in the years ahead," he said.