"For decades, our country's people and traders were entangled in a web of various taxes. Octroi, entry tax, sales tax, excise, VAT, serv...

PM Modi Addresses Nation a Day Ahead of New GST Reforms Coming into Effect Latest News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on Sunday afternoon, strongly urged citizens to opt for swadeshi goods and asserted that the next-generation GST reforms, coming into effect from tomorrow, will accelerate India's growth story, increase ease of doing business, and attract more investors.

In his address, PM Modi said, "From tomorrow, Navratri festivities are commencing. I extend my best wishes to you. From the first day of Navratri, the country is taking an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and development. Tomorrow, on the first day of Navratri, next-generation GST reforms will come into effect with sunrise."

PM Modi called the upcoming reforms as a "GST saving festival." He said the new GST framework will bring happiness to every family and accelerate India's growth story.

"From tomorrow, across the nation, 'GST Bachat Utsav' will commence. Your savings will increase, and you will be able to buy your favourite things... 'GST Bachat Utsav' will benefit everyone in our country—middle-class people, youth, farmers, women, shopkeepers, traders, and entrepreneurs," PM said.

He stated that by taking all states on board, India’s largest tax reform became possible. “It was the result of efforts of both the Centre and the states that the nation was able to get rid of a dozen taxes, and the dream of 'one nation, one tax' came true.”
"For decades, our country’s people and traders were entangled in a web of various taxes. Octroi, entry tax, sales tax, excise, VAT, service tax—dozens of such taxes existed. To send goods from one city to another, we had to cross countless checkpoints,” he recalled.

"Reform is a continuous process," the Prime Minister said, adding, “As times change and the country’s needs change, next-generation reforms are equally necessary. These new GST reforms are being implemented, keeping in mind the country’s current needs and future aspirations.”

He said that in the new GST regime, there will primarily be only 5 per cent and 18 per cent tax slabs, and goods used in everyday life will become more affordable. Food items, medicines, soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, health and life insurance, and many other essential goods and services will either be tax-free or taxed at just 5 per cent.

PM Modi said the country is moving forward by following the mantra of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' and added, “We can see its reflection in the next-generation GST reforms.”

The government has also made income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free to ease the burden on the middle class. “Now, it’s time for the neo-middle class. Reforms in GST will make it very easy for citizens to fulfil their dreams,” the PM said.

He stressed that to achieve the goal of becoming a developed nation, citizens must follow the path of self-reliance. “A very big responsibility to make India self-reliant also lies on our MSMEs,” he added.
He highlighted that the reduction in GST rates and the simplification of rules and procedures would strongly benefit MSMEs, small industries, and cottage industries.

He further noted, “Just as the mantra of 'Swadeshi' empowered India's freedom, the same mantra will strengthen the country's prosperity. Today, knowingly or unknowingly, many foreign products have become part of our daily lives, often without us realising it. We may not even know whether the comb in our pocket is foreign-made or Indian-made. We must free ourselves from this dependence. Let us choose to buy goods that are Made in India—products that reflect the hard work of our nation's youth.”

He urged all state governments to join the campaign of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Swadeshi, and to create an environment for investment by boosting production in their states.
"When the nation and states work together, the dream of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' will be fulfilled," PM Modi said.
 

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