New Delhi, Feb 1 (IANS) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday paid homage to her former colleague Arun Jaitley and also quoted his speech on GST that "it will be an India where the Centre and states will work together unanimously towards harmony" and said that the government has pulled out 271 million people out of poverty between 2006-2016.

In the beginning of her Budget 2020-21 speech, Sitharaman remembered Jaitley and said: "Its chief architect is not with us today. I pay homage to the visionary leader late Arun Jaitley."

She said: "Banks saw a thorough cleanup and goods and services tax (GST) has been the most historic in our country."

Quoting Jaitley, the Finance Minister said: "At the time of the rollout of GST, he had said India will be an India where the Centre and states will work harmoniously... will rise out of narrow politics for the country's sake and with the GST neither the state nor the Centre will lose their sovereignty."

"True to this vision, the GST has been gradually maturing to a tax integrating the country. It has resulted in efficient gains in logistics and transport sector. Turnaround for transport sector has turned down dramatically.. and has led to significant benefits to MSMEs," Sitharaman said.

Highlighting the works of the government, the Minister said that the motto of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas" has implemented new programmes for poor and disadvantaged under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We shall strive to bring ease of living to every citizen. Between 2006-16, India was able to pull 271 million people out of poverty. The milestones achieved under Modi government have been unprecedented and were globally recognised," she said.