By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: GST Reform 2.0 is a historic decision of the Modi government. The new GST slabs that are going to be implemented from the 22nd of next month have brought happiness to all sections of the society. This reform will benefit the common citizens in particular and has brought peace of mind to everyone. From villages to cities, the economy of the poor, lower middle class, middle class of the country will get strength. New employment opportunities will be created.
Youth, women will be financially empowered. Small and medium industries will get good benefits. The economy of the farmers will be further strengthened. The handicraft industry will be strengthened. The common class will benefit the most since the tax on health insurance will be made zero. The country’s defense infrastructure will be further strengthened and the export of defense equipment will increase and play an important role in strengthening the country’s economy. Rajya Sabha MP and National General Secretary Shri Arun Singh said that this GST reform, which is truly self-reliant and focused on the indigenous people, will strengthen and accelerate the ecosystem of a state like Odisha.
In a press conference held at the state office, Shri Singh said that during the last Congress/UPA regime, 28 types of taxes were imposed on the countrymen. On the other hand, in the first GST reform in 2017, the successful Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi introduced 4 slabs (5, 12, 18 and 28 percent) instead of 28. Now, after the reform, only 2 slabs (5 and 18 percent) have been implemented. During the Congress regime, excessive taxes were imposed on products like milk for children, paste, soap, pencils for students, compasses and agricultural machinery. Now, taxes have been reduced on all these products. The GST slab on kendu leaves has been reduced from 18 to 5 percent, so the kendu leaf collectors of Odisha will benefit.
Similarly, the reduction of GST on yarn from 12 to 5 percent will benefit the weavers of Odisha and the range of Odisha-made garments will increase. Since Odisha is an agricultural state, the reduction in tax rates on various agricultural equipment such as tractors and their components, tractor tires will reduce the cost of agricultural production and the economy of the farmer brothers and sisters will be further strengthened. TVs, refrigerators, motorcycles, cars, etc. will become cheaper. Medicines, dairy products and many other daily necessities used by the common man along with food have been excluded from the GST tax. In the financial year 2024-25, a revenue of Rs. 22 lakh crore came to the account of the Government of India through GST. The Government of India will lose a revenue of Rs. 48 thousand crore for the benefit of the common man due to this reform. The Modi government is giving priority to the use of indigenous goods based on the slogan of “Vocal for Local”.
Shri Singh said that the new GST reforms and simplification of GST rates will have a positive impact on the economy of the country, including the common man, and a new era of ease of living with a strong economy has begun.
On this occasion, State President Shri Manmohan Samal said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always given importance to Odisha. Especially after the formation of the BJP’s double engine government in Odisha, the state’s infrastructure development has accelerated.
Along with this, the state with immense potential is giving priority to Odisha in the fields of industry and semiconductor industry. State President Shri Samal expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman for such a historic decision by prioritizing the overall development of the poor, youth, farmers and women. Shri Samal said that the benefits of the new GST reforms will be reached to the people through press conferences and intellectual conferences in various parts of the state.
Member of Parliament Shri Rabi Narayan Behera, State VP Shri Biranchi Narayan Tripathi were present on this occasion.
