Mann ki Baat: PM Modi hails GST as 'celebration of honesty'

Prime Minister Modi will begin his visit to Indonesia where he will be holding detailed discussions with President Joko Widodo in Jakarta | PTI [File] Prime Minister Narendra Modi | PTI

A week ahead of the completion of one year of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollout, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the taxation scheme as a "celebration of honesty."

Addressing the nation in the 45th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme, Prime Minister Modi said the introduction of the GST has eliminated the concept of "Inspector Raj" mindset in tax payment.

"A number of complaints were lodged in the past years regarding irregularities in taxation. However, with the GST in place, there is no scope for the same, as everything is technologically processed," he added.

Another advantage, Prime Minister Modi highlighted, is the elimination of check posts, which has facilitated faster movement of goods.

"With check posts being removed, the movement of goods has become faster, and there has been a large improvement in the logistics sector as well," he noted.

The Prime Minister also lauded the state governments for collectively helping implement the GST in the interest of the nation, thereby making it a "prime example of cooperative federalism."

"'One Nation, One Tax' which was once a dream of the people, is now a reality. The credit for One Nation One Tax reform goes to the states," he opined.

The Prime Minister further said, it is generally believed that such a big tax reform, in a huge country like India takes five to seven years for effective adoption.

He expressed happiness that despite this, due to the enthusiasm of honest people, the new tax system has managed to create a space for itself within a year.

The GST was rolled out in July last year, after months of deliberation.

Launched on the midnight on June 30 by Prime Minister Modi and the then President Pranab Mukherjee, the taxation scheme aimed at bringing all taxes into a single window along the lines of the 'One Nation - One Tax - One Market' goal.

However, the GST has been criticised time and again by the Opposition for its negative impact on small traders and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also highlighted the significance of Yoga in this edition of Mann ki Baat and said that it united people around the world by going beyond the boundaries of caste, creed and geography.

Addressing the 45th episode of the monthly radio programme, the Prime Minister said, "Yoga has united people around the world by going beyond the boundaries of caste, creed and geography, and helped realise the true spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumkabam - which our saints and seers have propagated since centuries."

"Today Yoga has become a wellness revolution. I hope that the campaign of wellness through Yoga will go forward and more and more people will make it a part of their lives." he added.

Talking about the Yoga Celebration across the country on the International Yoga Day, the Prime Minister said, "Be it schools, colleges, offices, parks, high rise buildings or any playground, Yoga practitioners could be seen everywhere."

"On June 21, on the occasion of fourth Yoga Day, the entire world came together. People from across the world practiced yoga with immense enthusiasm and energy. From European Parliament in Brussels to UN headquarters in New York to Japanese naval ships people participated in various yoga events. In Saudi Arabia, a yoga event was organized and I was told that a number of asanas's were demonstrated by women."

He further hailed the Indian Army for performing yoga on land, sea and sky and said, "It was a matter of great pride for Indians to witness our armed forces performing yoga on land, sea and sky - in submarines; on the snowy mountainous terrain of Siachen and even in mid-air, some 15 thousand feet above the earth."

Talking about one particular incident from Ahmedabad, which touched his heart, the Prime Minister said, "An instance from Ahmedabad was very heart touching. Around 740 Divyang brothers and sisters created a world-record by performing Yoga together."

The fourth International Yoga Day was celebrated with great fervour across the world on June 21.

The first International Day of Yoga was observed all over the world on June 21, 2015, where more than 30,000 people, including Prime Minister Modi, performed yoga asanas (postures) at Rajpath in New Delhi.

The idea of International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime Minister Modi during his speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 27 September 2014.