Next-gen GST Reforms' Draft Sent To States: PM

“For us, reform signifies the advancement of good governance, which is why we place a strong emphasis on continuous improvement. In the near future, we are set to implement reforms aimed at making life and business operations smoother and more convenient. As part of this vision, next-gen reforms will be introduced under the GST framework, and this Diwali will bring a double bonus to the people, enhancing their celebrations,” the Prime Minister said while addressing an event after inaugurating the Delhi section of the Dwarka Expressway and Urban Extension Road-II worth nearly Rs 11,000 crore to reduce traffic congestion in the national capital and its surrounding areas. These projects are expected to significantly reduce travel time from Sonipat, Rohtak, Bahadurgarh and Gurugram to IGI Airport when completely operational.

Meanwhile, Modi on Sunday took a swipe at Opposition leaders, saying that those “who dance with a copy of Constitution on their head” had maintained unjust and regressive laws while in power, trampling the spirit of the Constitution.

Addressing an event in the national capital after inaugurating two expressways, the prime minister also said that opposition parties have not been able to digest the success of BJP in Delhi and its adjoining states of Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

He said: “Ye jo log samvidhan sar par rakh kar naachte hain na, woh samvidhan ko kaise kuchalte the, woh Baba Saheb (Ambedkar) ke bhavna ko kaise daga dete the, woh sachai main batane jaa raha hoon. (Those people who are dancing with a copy of Constitution on their heads, how they used to trample the Constitution and betray B.R. Ambedkar ideas, I am going to tell you the truth now.)”

“You will be astonished after hearing this. Our sanitation workers in Delhi are fulfilling huge responsibilities. We should thank them every morning.

“Earlier governments used to treat them like slaves,” he said, adding that there was a provision in the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act that sanitation workers could be jailed for a month on failure to report for duty without prior notice.

“What they used to think about sanitation workers? You will put them in jail for a small mistake,” Modi asked.

Modi had first announced the proposal in his Independence Day speech on August 15 at the Red Fort. “The Centre has sent the draft proposal of the GST reform to the states. I hope all states will cooperate with the central government’s initiatives,” he said, urging them to complete the process quickly so the festival of Diwali becomes more special.

The proposed two-slab regime, if approved by the GST Council, will replace the current four slabs by removing the 12 per cent and 28 per cent brackets. At present, GST rates include nil on essential food items, 5 per cent on daily-use products, 12 per cent on standard goods, 18 per cent on electronics and services, and 28 per cent on luxury and sin goods. These will be replaced with two slabs, 5 per cent and 18 per cent, along with a special 40 per cent top bracket for five to seven demerit goods.