NDA leaders in New Delhi are celebrating the launch of major Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms as a festive “Diwali gift” for everyday Indians. The changes, kicked off on Monday, September 22, cut taxes on key items like food, cars, medicines, personal care products, and household essentials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gets the credit for delivering this big relief to consumers right before the holiday season.
These GST updates aim to lighten the load on middle-class families and spark more economic growth across India. Leaders from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) say the moves will help small businesses and farmers too, making life easier amid rising costs.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale praised the reforms in an interview with , calling them a game-changer. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made smart decisions over his 11 years in power,” Athawale said. “But slashing GST rates like this? It’ll push India’s economy to new heights and truly help the common man.” He also highlighted Modi’s recent call to buy “Made in India” goods during Navratri. “This will boost our local businesses. These reforms are a huge boon for people this festive season—Modi has done something amazing.”
BJP national spokesperson Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi echoed the excitement but took a swipe at the past Congress-led UPA government. “PM Modi is fixing GST with a ‘one nation, one tax’ vision to empower people and strengthen the economy,” Naqvi told . “Some folks just love to criticize every change—it’s their habit. Back when they ran things, the economy was tanking, and everyone was worried.”
Another BJP spokesperson, Tuhin Sinha, described the day as historic, tying it to the start of Navratri and a new nationwide “Bachat Utsav” savings festival. “For the first time, we’re seeing such massive tax cuts,” Sinha said. “Items previously at 12% GST now drop to 5%, and most at 28% go down to 18%—that’s 99% of goods in the lower bracket getting a break.” He pointed to healthcare as a winner: “Lower GST on medicines means patients get better care for less money. Overall, this saves Rs 1.5 lakh crore, which flows back into the economy to benefit every sector.”
JD(U) leader K.C. Tyagi wrapped up the praise, focusing on relief for everyday folks. “High GST rates have bugged small farmers, consumers, and shopkeepers for too long,” Tyagi said to . “I’m glad PM Modi timed this as a Diwali gift right on Navratri—it’s the relief we needed.”
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