Govt, political parties should stay away, judiciary will find a solution: PM Modi on SC crisis

In his first comments on the judicial crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the government and political parties must stay out of it while expressing confidence that the judiciary will sit together to find a solution to its problems.

He also said the Indian judiciary has a bright history and is full of very capable people.

"Our country's judiciary has a very bright past, they are very capable people. They will sit together and find a solution to their problems. I have faith in our justice system, they will definitely figure out a solution," he said during a lengthy interview to Times Now, according to the transcript provided by the television news channel.

Asked about the crisis in the Supreme Court after its four seniormost judges came out to openly criticise allocation of sensitive cases by the chief justice, creating an unprecedented situation in the higher judiciary, Modi said, "I think I should stay away from this debate. The government must also stay away. The political parties must also keep out of it."

To a question about opposition parties' alleged attempts to pull "high-profile" BJP leaders into the crisis the way they went after him when he was Gujarat chief minister, the prime minister said they had made several attempts to finish him politically.

"The path that they are on is what has helped me reach here," he said, taking a dig at the opposition parties.
On January 12, four top judges of the Supreme Court -- justices Jasti Chelameswar, Ranjan Gogoi, Madan Lokur and Kurian Joseph-- addressed an extraordinary press conference where they said that "all is not well" with the

Supreme Court and launched a sharp attack on Chief Justice Dipak Misra for "ignoring the concerns voiced by them". 

PM says he is open to GST changes to plug loopholes, make it more efficient

Six months into the rollout and after dozens of changes, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he is open to more changes in the GST to plug loopholes and make it more efficient tax.

He also attacked those opposing the Goods and Services Tax (GST), saying they were "insulting" Parliament.

In an interview to Times Now news channel, he compared the new law with that for income tax, asking how many changes and improvements have been made in the income tax law since its inception in 1961.

"The GST too is a new system. I have been saying this since the day one that people will take some time to adjust to the new system," he said. "We will have to improve wherever there are loopholes."

He said a united attempt should be made to develop an efficient system even it requires six months or two years.

"Everyone should attempt to deliver a product to this nation which will be useful for a longer period. This is a process and our intention is good. Our efforts are underway." Modi said, "We are using all our knowledge in that direction. Everyone should make combined efforts for good things. Will you only see your political greed in everything?" The rollout of the GST, which subsumed more than a dozen central and state levies, from July 1 has been far from being smooth with problems ranging from increased tax rates on some items and services to a higher compliance burden for businesses and IT issues.

To address them, tax rates on dozens of items have been cut, compliance process eased and simpler administration introduced.

In the interview, transcript of which was provided by Times Now, Modi said no one has actually opposed the GST and everyone theoretically accepts the concept of one-nation-one- tax, which Parliament approved after debating for seven years.

Without taking any names, he said those who previously were in the government are now "opposing the GST and are foul mouthing it."

"They are insulting the collective strength of Parliament and they are insulting the temple of democracy. This doesn't suit them," he said.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi had in the run-up to last month's Assembly elections in Gujarat, dubbed the GST as 'Gabbar Singh-Tax'.

Modi said all political parties came together and created the GST Council, the highest decision-making body for the new indirect tax regime.

The panel has equal representation from all states and they have equal weightage as that of the Centre. All decisions are taken through consensus.

"Every decision is unanimous. Never has the opportunity of a vote arisen," he said, adding that chief ministers of opposition parties have also participated in the decision- making process.

"While inside the meeting, everyone is laughing, playing around and taking a decision. But once the meeting is over, they come out and show anger, aggression and threats," the prime minister said.

"Inside we are taking decisions on the GST harmoniously and outside they are displaying otherwise," Modi said.

Similar is the case with Parliament where debates are open and conducted harmoniously but outside anger is shown, he said.

"People of this country know this very well," he said.