Hopeful legislative activity can proceed much more in Rajya Sabha: Arun Jaitley

ALLAHABAD: Indicating that the long-pending GST Bill can see a forward movement in the next session of Parliament, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today expressed confidence that "legislation activity" can proceed at a faster face with the increase in strength of those parties which support bills in the Rajya Sabha and do not "obstruct".

"The fact is that BJP and NDA and a lot of other parties which support legislation and do not obstruct have increased their numbers. I am hopeful legislation activity can proceed much more now," he told reporters.

He was asked about the implications of results of the recent Rajya Sabha elections that saw a dip in Congress numbers, and the prospect of the GST Bill, blocked by the main opposition party seeking amendments, which the government is not keen on.

Jaitley parried questions over RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan, whose continuation has been strongly opposed by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy, and said "We do not discuss these matters through media."

Asked if he will approach AIADMK, which has opposed the GST bill but is seen to be more open to the government's push, he said, "As far as AIADMK is concerned we have talked to them in past and will definitely speak to them again.

"We will be approaching every political party without exception. As far as legislations are concerned most political parties are in support," he added.