By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:A discussion on the topic of “Next Generation GST Reforms” was held at the state BJP office today in association with the State BJP’s Smart Cell. The GST reforms will not only reduce the GST rate or tax but it is a historic step that will bring about a major change in the lives of the common man, said Shri Tarun Chugh, National General Secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party and Co-Convenor of the National GST Campaign Committee.
Participating in a discussion on GST reforms held at the state office, Shri Chugh said that India has become the strongest and fastest growing economy in the world due to the fiscal discipline and visionary policies of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during the last 11 years of his rule. The new generation GST reforms will provide an economic stimulus of about Rs 2 lakh crore to the countrymen and will give a strong boost and momentum to the Indian economy.
The Modi government’s GST 2.0 reforms will give new momentum to the double engine government of Odisha. About 99 percent of the items in the GST category that were at 12 percent rate have been brought down to 5 percent rate and about 90 percent of the items that were at 28 percent rate have been reduced to 18 percent rate. This will increase consumer savings, reduce the prices of essential goods and strengthen domestic demand. Many companies have already announced price cuts, which the common man can immediately benefit from.
This reform will provide a lot of relief to the poor, farmers, middlemen and micro, small and medium enterprises. The rate of GST on many agricultural equipment like agricultural implements, irrigation machinery, small tractors will be reduced to 5 percent, which will reduce the cost of agriculture. GST has been completely removed on health and life insurance, and GST has been completely exempted for cancer and other serious chronic diseases and medical equipment.
This will benefit the common man a lot, said Shri Chugh. Odisha is benefiting from the double engine government under the leadership of Prime Minister Yashwant Singh. The Centre and the State have jointly taken Odisha forward with a new pace of development. The benefits of GST reforms will reach Odisha in the most effective manner and it will create new opportunities for the youth of Odisha. Shri Chugh said that lakhs of Odisha’s farmers will benefit from the reduction of GST on kerala from 18% to 5%.
The double engine government is making historic progress in the sectors of infrastructure, employment, health and education in Odisha. GST 2.0 is a part of the economic reforms of the great Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Which has continuously taken India to this new peak of success for 11 years. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, India is the fourth largest economy in the world and the fastest growing financial system. There has been a significant growth in business and employment with a record number of foreign capital investments.
There has been revolutionary progress in infrastructure – more than 60 percent of national highways have been expanded, metro rail is running in more than 20 cities, more than one hundred and fifty airports, trains like Vande Bharat and Amrut Bharat have been modernized. With Digital India and UPI Kranti, India is the largest digitally transacting economy in the world. DBT or Direct Bank Transfer has eliminated the role of middlemen/brokers and has stopped the diversion of over Rs 2 lakh crore from the exchequer. Shri Chugh said that there has been a huge growth in defence mobile and electronic production due to the Atmanirbhar Bharat and PLI schemes.
The Garib Kalyan Yojana has transformed the lives of crores of families. 80 crore people are being provided free ration under the Food Security Scheme, 50 crore citizens have been provided health security under the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, crores of families have benefited from the Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. 14 crore toilets have been built to ensure cleanliness and decent living. Startup India and Mudra Yojana have given new impetus to entrepreneurs and more than a hundred unicorn entrepreneurs have been established in India. After the Covid pandemic, when the global financial system was in a state of shock, India was able to adjust its economy at the fastest pace. The IMF and the World Bank have given India the title of “Bright Spot”,” said Shri Chugh.
This GST reform will further advance India’s economy. Investors’ confidence will be strengthened and the country will move forward at a faster pace towards a developed India 2047. People’s welfare has always been at the centre of every decision of the Modi government. GST 2.0 is a clear proof of the transformational leadership of Prime Minister Modi, said Shri Chugh.
State BJP Sikkejivi Prakashta Convener Shriyukta Sudarshan Nayak presided over the seminar, where BJP State Vice President and State GST Publicity Committee Coordinator Shriyukta Biranchi Narayan Tripathi delivered the welcome address.
State GST Publicity Committee Coordinator Shriyukta Sanjay Rath introduced the participants, while Jajpur MP Dr. Ravi Narayan Behera, State BJP Spokesperson and Industry Prakashta Convener Shriyukta Tapan Chand and State BJP Chartered Accountant Prakashta Convener Shriyukta Mihir Sahu presented detailed speeches on GST reforms. State officers and workers of the party were present in the seminar.
