New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the sweeping reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), calling them a “double dhamaka of happiness before Diwali and Chhath Puja.” He said the GST reforms announced by his government are aimed at boosting growth and fulfilling the aspirations of Indian citizens.
PM Modi said this while addressing an event to felicitate the winners of the National Teachers’ Award. He further recalled the cut in income tax rates in the 2025 Budget, which exempted incomes of up to Rs 12 lakh from tax.
PM Modi said the simplified GST regime will come into effect on September 22, the first day of Navratri. He said: “Without timely changes, we cannot give our country its rightful place in today’s global situation. I had said from the Red Fort on 15 August this time that it is crucial to undertake next-generation reforms to make India self-reliant. I had also promised the countrymen that there would be a double dhamaka of happiness before this Diwali and Chhath Puja…”
GST में हुए बड़े रिफॉर्म्स का सार यही है कि इससे देश की अर्थव्यवस्था में ये पंचरत्न जुड़े हैं… pic.twitter.com/BAn5A8XAZZ
---Advertisement---— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 4, 2025
“If I sum up the reforms, I can only say it will make India look great. There are five gems attached to the economy: first the tax system became much simpler; second, the quality of life of the citizens would get better; third, both consumption and growth will get a new booster; fourth ease of doing business will boost investment and jobs; and fifth, the partnership between the states and Centre will strengthen cooperative federalism,” he said.
PM Modi added that the GST reforms would give a boost to local industries and strengthen the idea of Swadeshi. He urged teachers and students to carry this movement forward. He also slammed the Congress for heavily taxing the common people during its regime.
“There was so much tax in the Congress era. The condition was such that even Congressmen children’s toffees were taxed at 21%,” he said.
“Had that regime continued, you would have been paying Rs 20-25 tax on every purchase worth Rs 100. But the aim of our govt is to ensure maximum savings in the lives of common people, and to make people’s lives better,” the PM said.He also referred to the law passed by Parliament recently banning online betting and gambling. This, he said, would safeguard the future of the country’s youth. “Gaming is not bad, but gambling is, and the future of our youth must be safeguarded,” he said, adding that India can dominate the global online gaming market if it works in the right manner.
On Wednesday, the government rolled out GST reforms that place most items under two tax slabs – 5% and 18% – while keeping the sin goods taxed at 40%.
ALSO READ: ‘Double Dose Of Growth’ – PM Modi Lauds GST Reforms, Says Common People To Save More
