Modi hails 'GST Bachat Utsav', pitches for 'swadeshi' goods
PM says GST ended hardship of old tax regime, stresses all states will be equal stakeholders in development race, urges them to work toward Atmanirbhar Bharat
A day before reduced GST rates come into effect, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 21) made a strong pitch for promoting 'swadeshi' goods and asserted that the next generation GST reforms will accelerate India's growth story, increase ease of doing business and attract more investors.
In his address to the nation, Modi said a 'GST Bachat Utsav ('GST Savings Festival)' will begin from the first day of Navratri, and coupled with the income tax exemption, it will be a "double bonanza" for most of the people.
Modi stressed that all states will be equal stakeholders in the development race and urged them to give pace to manufacturing with 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and swadeshi campaigns in mind.
"On the first day of Navratri, the country is going to take an important and big step for Atmanirbhar Bharat. With the sunrise tomorrow, the next generation GST reforms will come into effect. A 'GST bachat utsav (savings festival)' will begin tomorrow.
"You will be able to buy things you like more easily. The poor, middle class, neo middle class, youths, farmers, women, traders and shopkeepers will benefit from this," he said.
In this season of festivals, everyone's happiness will increase, Modi said.
Read live updates here.
Live Updates
- 21 Sept 2025 5:20 PM IST
Modi makes swadeshi push
Modi makes Swadeshi push, says each Indian should strive toward Atmanirbhar Bharat push. All the states should join the movement, he adds.
- 21 Sept 2025 5:11 PM IST
Past 11 years have seen birth of neo middle class: Modi
In its new avatar, GST makes daily life even easier, says Modi. Most things become cheaper from tomorrow, he adds.
"Over 25 crore people have stepped out of poverty in the past 11 years. The neo-middle class is seeing a better life now," says Modi.
- 21 Sept 2025 5:09 PM IST
The old tax regime was strenuous: Modi
Modi says when the GST regime was rolled out in 2017, it marked a fresh start for India. "Earlier, there were Octroi, entry tax, VAT, excise, service tax, and several other taxes. Inter-state trade needed numerous forms, obstacles, and different tax rates," he said.
"In 2014 when the nation made me the PM, a foreign newspaper described how difficult it was for a company to operate in India. The poor were also bearing the brunt of the complex tax system.
"It was necessary for us to bring the nation out of this tax hardship. We discussed the reforms with all the stakeholders. We discussed it intensely with all the states. We took all their consent and before rolling out such a huge tax reform.
"We wanted to bring the nation out of the hardship of a dozen taxes. We made One Nation, One Taxation possible," said Modi.
- 21 Sept 2025 5:04 PM IST
GST Bachat Utsav begins tomorrow: Modi
Modi wishes the nation a happy Navratri. He says as the sun rises tomorrow, lower GST rates will take off. He calls it "GST Bachat Utsav (GST Savings Festival)". He says it will accelerate India's growth story and sweeten the festival season.
- 21 Sept 2025 4:57 PM IST
Watch: PM Modi addresses the nation
Modi is addressing the nation as GST reforms take effect tomorrow, cutting slabs to just two categories of 5 per cent and 18 per cent while luxury goods stay at 40 per cent. The speech comes amid the US raising tariffs on Indian goods and imposing a hike in H-1B visa fees, even as Modi pushes for self-reliance. Watch the speech here:
- 21 Sept 2025 4:55 PM IST
Modi's address: Will he talk about Trump's India-Pak ceasefire claims, asks Cong
The Congress took a swipe at PM Modi, asking whether he will address Donald Trump's India-Pakistan "ceasefire" claims and the concerns of lakhs of Indian H1B visa holders or just repeat what is already known on the new GST rates.
In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said, "As the PM prepares to address the nation, his good friend in Washington DC has once again stolen his thunder and claimed — for the 42nd time — that he stopped Operation Sindoor by using increased trade with America as leverage." Trump has made these claims not only at home in the USA, but also in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UK, Ramesh said.
"Will the PM address these claims and speak of the increasingly fraught Indo-US relationship? Will he address the concerns of lakhs of Indian H1B holders? Will he provide some assurances to the crores of farmers and workers who stand to lose their livelihood due to his good friend's tariffs? Or will he just repeat what we all know on the new GST rates - worked out under desperation and which become effective tomorrow?" the Congress leader said.
