PM Modi Speech Today Live Updates: It’s the turn of the poor, it’s the turn of the neo middle class, says PM Modi ahead of new GST rates rollout

TMC deputy leader in Rajya Sabha Sagarika Ghose said that the PM did not mention “that after mass suffering, stagnant incomes and job losses for the last five years, the Modi government has belatedly awakened to the need to reform GST... In 2016, Modi promised that 'Notebandi' will end black money. It didn’t happen. Then, in 2017 Modi promised GST 1.0 will end ‘tax terrorism’ and that didn’t happen. And instead a highly complicated GST structure led to GST Inspector Raj”.

On the PM's pitch to “buy Swadeshi”, she said, “But will the PM end his fascination for foreign branded products?”

Reacting to the PM's 19-minute address to the nation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X, “Narendra Modi ji, instead of the simple and efficient GST of the Congress party, your government imposed the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' by collecting 9 different slabs and collected over Rs 55 lakh crore in eight years. Now you are talking about a Rs 2.5 lakh crore 'savings festival' and applying a simple band-aid after inflicting deep wounds on the public!”

“The public will never forget that you collected the highest GST on their dal-chawal-grain, pencils, books, treatment, farmers' tractors — everything,” said the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

On PM Modi's address to the nation, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, "Navratri starts tomorrow, and from the same day, a grand GST celebration will begin. Prime Minister Modi has taken a historic decision. There has been a major reduction in GST rates, which will bring significant savings for women, middle-class families, farmers, and the MSME sector. Before 2014, there were around 50 different types of taxes in the country, creating a complex web that increased the burden on every citizen, and there was a lack of political will. This decision will result in substantial savings starting tomorrow."

PTI input

Responding to PM Modi's address to the nation, Congress leader Imran Masood told PTI, “After collecting Rs 55 lakh crore through wrong taxation, PM Modi is now saying that the new GST rates have been reduced; it’s unfortunate.”

Linking the rollout of the revised Goods and Services Tax structure to the start of the Navratri festival Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Sunday that the start of the “GST Bachat Utsav” (savings festival), along with the income tax relief announced earlier, will bring happiness to every family in the form of increased savings, accelerate India’s growth story, make business easier, investment more attractive, and ensure that every state becomes an equal partner in the development race.

The Congress on Sunday asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking "sole ownership" of the amendments made to the GST regime and said the current reforms were inadequate, with no resolution to the states' demand for an extension of compensation for another five years. The opposition party slammed the reforms as "applying band-aid after inflicting deep wounds" and said the government should apologise to the public for its GST on essential items.

Be proud to say its Made in India, says PM Modi

Mantra of Swadeshi gave strength to freedom movement, Swadeshi will also strengthen our quest for prosperity, says PM Modi

Commenting on GST reforms, PM Modi says decisions are made for raising I-T exemption limit.

PM Modi reiterates on self-reliance or Aatmanirbharata and urges people to manufacture items locally.

Next gen GST reforms being implemented from tomorrow, it is like 'GST saving festival', says PM Modi

You will be able to buy your favourite items with ease from tomorrow, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will shortly address the nation. Stay tuned here to know what he says.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address comes after US President Donald Trump gave nod to hike in H-1B visa fees to $100,000, which is likely to impact Indian visa seekers adversely. While there is no official confirmation on the subjects Modi will speak about during his speech, we take a look back at what he said yesterday in Bhavnagar, Gujarat. Saying that India’s biggest “enemy” today is dependence on other countries, Modi reiterated his call for self-reliance.

Modi said: “Bharat aaj vishwabandhu ke bhavna se aage badh raha hai. Duniya mein hamara koi bada dushman nahin hai. Sacche arth mein agar hamara koi dushman hai, toh woh hai doosre deshon par hamari nirbharta (India is moving forward today with the spirit of global brotherhood. It has no major enemy in the world. But, if India has an enemy in the true sense, it is dependence on other nations).”