New Delhi: Seeking to counter the Opposition’s assertion that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was its initiative, the BJP today underscored that the idea of a unified tax regime had its origins in the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The party also expressed confidence that the GST reforms, which would come as a gift to farmers, women, and consumers on September 22 — the first day of Navratri — would take the country to ‘newer heights’.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal addressing the reporters here said that the GST was the result of a broad political consensus and hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sustaining the reform momentum since its implementation in 2017.
“Every state, including those ruled by Opposition parties, came together to decide on GST slabs and implement the reform,” Goyal said. “From 2017 to 2024-25, whenever possible, the Prime Minister has continued to reduce rates from time to time.”
The Minister criticised the Opposition for what he described as “baseless allegations” regarding the tax regime.
“The burden of paperwork and cascading taxes that existed during the UPA’s tenure has steadily reduced since GST was introduced in 2017. This tax reform is designed to benefit all sections of society,” he stated.
Goyal recalled that the late Vajpayee, during his tenure as Prime Minister, had laid the groundwork for a unified tax framework. “But when the UPA government came, they continued making promises without action. The states lacked trust in the Centre at that time,” he said.
Taking aim at the Congress-led UPA governments, the BJP leader accused the Opposition of failing to take concrete policy decisions and moreover becuase many States had no confidence on it if it would take steps to pass on the benefits.
“When our government came to power, the country’s economy was in a fragile state. Corruption was rampant and governance lacked direction. We have moved from a period of promises to a phase of action,” he said.
The union Minister for Commerce and Industry also pointed out that various ministries of the Central government are working in a coordinated manner to ensure that the benefits of GST rate reductions reach the common people. He also expressed confidence that the industry has assured the government it will pass on the benefits of lower GST rates to consumers.
Describing GST as one of the most significant structural reforms since Independence, Goyal said it had brought about a fundamental shift in the taxation architecture of the country.
“This will prove to be very beneficial for the ease of doing business,” he said, adding that the reforms had helped foster a more transparent and unified national market.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi’s Independence Day address, the Minister said, “On August 15, the Prime Minister promised the nation that India would no longer stop or bow down. The country now has the capacity to take decisions that yield transformational outcomes.”
The Minister also cited successive rate rationalisations as evidence of the Centre’s commitment to industry and consumers alike.
UNI AJ
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