Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded the recently approved GST 2.0 reforms, describing them as a “double dose” for India’s economy and its people. He said the new simplified structure would make the tax system easier, fairer, and more beneficial for every section of society.
The move comes a day after the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, decided to streamline tax slabs to just two rates 5% and 18% replacing the earlier four-tier structure. The new regime will come into force on September 22, coinciding with the first day of Navratri.
PM Modi’s Vision for GST 2.0
Calling it a “next-generation reform” designed to strengthen India’s growth momentum, Modi highlighted that the decision reflects strong Centre-state coordination and cooperative federalism.
“The GST has now become more simple and easy. Only two rates remain 5% and 18%,” the Prime Minister said, adding that the reforms aim to ease compliance while giving an overall push to growth and consumption.
He reiterated his Independence Day promise to deliver a “double dhamaka of happiness” before festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja, emphasizing that the new tax regime fulfills that pledge.
Benefits Across Society
Modi stressed that GST 2.0 would particularly benefit the poor, the neo-middle class, students, women, farmers, and the youth. At the same time, it is expected to boost ease of doing business, investments, and job creation.
He also said the reforms will help improve quality of life, as broader consumption and growth are likely to receive a renewed push in the coming months.
‘Five Gems of Reform’
In his address, the Prime Minister said that five new ‘gems’ (panch ratna) had been added to India’s economic framework through these reforms pointing to simplicity, inclusiveness, federal cooperation, growth, and improved compliance as key pillars.
PM’s Message on X
Soon after the Council’s decision, Modi took to social media platform X to hail the reforms:
“Glad to state that @GST_Council, comprising the Union and the States, has collectively agreed to the Union Government’s proposals on GST rate cuts and reforms. This will benefit the common man, farmers, MSMEs, middle-class, women, and youth,” he wrote.
He further noted that the wide-ranging reforms will “improve citizens’ lives and ensure ease of doing business for all, especially small traders and enterprises.”
With GST 2.0, the government aims not only to simplify the tax structure but also to turn it into a catalyst for employment, investment, and sustainable growth delivering what PM Modi calls a “double dose of progress” for India.