PM Modi’s New GST Regime a ‘Diwali Gift’ to Citizens, Says Haryana Minister Gaurav Gautam

Chandigarh, September 23 — Haryana Minister of Sports, Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, and Law and Legislative Affairs Gaurav Gautam said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the people of India a major Diwali gift by introducing the new GST framework.

Addressing a press conference at the PWD Rest House in Palwal on Tuesday, Gautam said GST on essential commodities such as flour, pulses, oil, and ghee has been abolished. He expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, stating that the reform would provide direct relief to common households.

The minister explained that citizens previously bore the burden of 18 types of taxes, which have now been unified into a single tax under GST. He added that the 18 percent slab has been reduced to 12 percent, the 12 percent slab merged into 5 percent, while items earlier taxed at 5 percent have been made completely tax-free.

Medicines and tractors are among the goods for which GST rates have been cut. In the education sector, Gautam noted, everything from textbooks to pencils has been made tax-free to ease the financial burden on students and parents. Calling the reform “Garib Seva Tax,” he said it would bring prosperity to households across the country.

Former Education Minister Seema Trikha, BJP district president Vipin Bainsla, leaders Harendra Pal Rana and Manoj Rawat, district vice-president Praveen Grover, GST Reform Convener Manuj Garg, and Co-convener Praveen Chaudhary were also present.