The government also plans to invite heads of some key foreign missions in India to the function
With Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley going all out to resolve last-minute glitches in the introduction of the GST from July 1, the Centre hopes to turn its June 30 midnight event in Parliament's Central Hall into a mega show.
In attendance will be most of chief ministers and all members of the GST Council.
The Narendra Modi government also intends to use the opportunity to extend an olive branch to the Opposition in view of the forthcoming elections for the next President of the country, with Modi likely to thank the Opposition for its support in helping clear the landmark legislation.
The opportunity will also be used by the government, especially the Prime Minister, to talk directly to the citizens to address certain nuances concerning the new tax as well.
The government also plans to invite heads of some key foreign missions in India to the function.
According to sources, the Central Hall event — it is not going to be an official Parliament session — will see speeches by President Pranab Mukherjee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar.
Sources said that while formal invitations have already been sent to two former prime ministers — Dr Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda — who have been requested to share the dais with the President, Prime Minister and the Finance Minister, it hasn't been decided so far if they will be given the opportunity to say a few words. The chances of that happening are slim, sources said.
Incidentally, the Finance Minister himself went to Singh's house on Tuesday to invite him for the event.
Whether Singh will come for the government show is also unclear since the Congress and the Opposition are still undecided on whether to attend the same or not.
Incidentally, the last time Parliament had a special midnight sitting was on August 14 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of India's Independence.
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