PM Modi's address to nation: GST reforms will accelerate India's growth story, says PM - top quotes

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday hailed the new GST reforms scheduled to rolled out on September 22.

In his address to the nation, the prime minister congratulated the nation on the " GST Bachat Utsav ", claiming that the country is taking an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat .

Over his more than ten years in office, PM Modi has often addressed the nation to announce major decisions, from demonetisation to military operations. These speeches have served to inform citizens, explain government initiatives, and highlight major national milestones.

Here are the top quotes from the Prime Minister's address:

• From tomorrow, the festival of Navratri is starting. I extend my best wishes to you. From the first day of Navratri, the country is taking an important step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Tomorrow, on the first day of Navratri, Next-Generation GST reforms will come into effect with sunrise.
• These reforms will accelerate Bharat's growth story, enhance ease of doing business, attract greater investment, and ensure that every state becomes an equal partner in the nation's development.
• In a way, starting tomorrow, a GST savings festival will commence in the country. During this GST savings festival, your savings will increase, and you’ll be able to purchase your favourite items much more easily. The poor, middle class, neo-middle class, youth, farmers, women, shopkeepers, traders, and entrepreneurs of our country will all greatly benefit from this savings festival. In other words, during this festive season, everyone’s heart will be filled with sweetness.
• In 2017, India embarked on a transformative journey by implementing GST reforms, marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter in its economic history.
• I remember, in 2014, when the country entrusted me with the responsibility of Prime Minister, an interesting incident was published in a foreign newspaper during that initial period. It described the difficulties of a company. The company said that if it had to send its goods from Bengaluru to Hyderabad, 570 km away, it was so difficult that they considered it and said that they would prefer the company to first send its goods from Bengaluru to Europe and then send the same goods from Europe to Hyderabad. This was the situation at that time due to the complexities of taxes and tolls...At that time, millions of such companies, along with millions of countrymen, faced daily problems due to the maze of various taxes. The increased expenses incurred in transporting goods from one city to another were borne by the poor, and customers like you were charged. It was essential to free the country from this situation.
• In the last eleven years, 25 crore people in the country have defeated poverty. Having emerged from poverty, a large group of 25 crore people, known as the neo-middle class, is playing a significant role in the country today. This neo-middle class has its own aspirations and dreams. This year, the government presented a gift by making income up to Rs 12 lakh tax-free and naturally, when income tax relief up to Rs 12 lakh is granted, the lives of the middle class undergo a profound transformation, bringing about so much simplicity and convenience...Now, the poor, the neo-middle class, and the middle class are receiving a double bonanza. With the reduction in GST, it will be easier for the citizens of the country to fulfil their dreams.
• Whatever the country’s people need, whatever we can make domestically, we should produce it within the country.
• For a developed India, we must follow the path of self-reliance, in which MSMEs have a very big responsibility. The reduction in GST will greatly benefit our small-scale industries.
• Many foreign products have entered our daily lives; we need to move away from them and buy only what is made in India.
• Our small-scale industries should become the best in the world, and our products should meet the highest global standards.
• PM appeals to states: Boost manufacturing in your states and create a conducive environment for investment.
• We are moving forward by following the mantra of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' and we can see its reflection in the next generation's GST reforms. If we combine the income tax exemption and the GST exemption, the decisions made in one year will save the people of the country more than Rs 2.5 lakh crore and that's why I say, this is a savings festival.