Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who on Wednesday said the wide-ranging reforms approved by the GST Council will improve the lives of citizens and ensure ease of doing business for all, especially small traders and businesses, noted that GST 2.0 is a double dose of support and growth for the nation.
Modi claimed that GST was one of the biggest economic reforms of independent India and said the next generation reforms in GST have been done to support India's progress into the 21st century.
Five new gems (panch ratna) have been added to India's vibrant economy through GST reforms, he said.
The prime minister noted that the reforms will help improve the quality of life of citizens and boost consumption and growth.
"Without timely changes, we cannot give our country its rightful place in today's global situation. I had said from the Red Fort on August 15 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 blast of happiness before this Diwali and Chhath Puja," he said, and added that the reforms will help people save money and improve the country's economy.
The two-tier rate structure of 5 and 18 per cent will be implemented from September 22.
The prime minister promised that the series of reforms to make India self-reliant will not stop and urged teachers and students to lead campaigns to promote swadeshi products.
Later, taking to X, the P said affordable healthcare for every Indian has always been the government's mission. "From Jan Aushadhi Kendras to Ayushman Bharat, and now with reduced GST on essential health products, including zero tax on 33 life-saving medicines, we continue our journey to make quality healthcare more accessible and affordable for all," he said.