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September 22, 2025e-Paper
Updated – September 22, 2025 01:04 pm IST
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) overhaul will make cars cheaper this festive season across segments. Entry-level and mid-segment cars priced up to ₹14 lakh will see up to a 13% reduction in GST and cess, making them more attractive to a price-sensitive customer base. High-end cars with engines above 1200 cc are set to become 5–10% cheaper. | Photo Credit: The Hindu
Prices of kitchen staples to electronics, from medicines and equipment to automobiles, are now cheaper with the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cut on about 375 items.
Also Read: How is the GST structure being simplified? | Explained
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Sunday (September 21, 2025), in an address to the nation welcomed the “next generation reforms”, while congratulating the citizens on what he called the “GST Savings Festival”.
Mr. Modi spoke on how the restructured GST rate will make everyday items cheaper, thereby positively affecting the lives of the poor, middle and new middle class. He also re-iterated the need for purchasing goods manufactured in India, saying that “India’s prosperity will gain its strength from Swadeshi mantra.”
Navigate GST 2.0 with our guide and interactive dashboard
The Congress on Sunday (September 21, 2025) accused PM 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 recent GST reforms for footwear, particularly the rationalisation of tax rates on products priced under ₹2,500, are a welcome step that address a long-standing imbalance in our sector. For years, footwear has been taxed at a higher slab compared to apparel, which not only impacted affordability but also distorted demand patterns. The new framework not only corrects this disparity but also creates room for organised players like us to strengthen compliance, efficiency, and innovation in the value chain.
At Liberty Shoes, we see this as an opportunity to pass tangible benefits to our consumers. By reducing the overall tax burden, we are able to recalibrate pricing, expand access to quality footwear across middle-income households, and make fashion and comfort more affordable. This is especially relevant as we move into the festive season, where the synergy of aspirational consumption and competitive pricing can fuel industry growth.
Another important nuance is that GST clarity also helps manufacturers and retailers plan inventories and product launches with greater confidence. It improves working capital efficiency for the industry and enhances India’s competitiveness against imports in categories such as sports and casual footwear. By supporting ‘Make in India,’ these reforms enable legacy companies like ours – with decades of manufacturing expertise – to scale faster, bring more categories into the domestic value chain, and ultimately generate more employment in allied sectors such as leather, components, and retail.
As an Indian brand with a legacy of over 65 years, we are confident that these reforms will not only benefit consumers in the short term but also help the footwear sector evolve into a stronger pillar of India’s retail growth story. Liberty Shoes is committed to staying at the forefront of this transformation – offering more choice, better value, and reinforcing the trust that generations of customers have placed in us.”
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday hailed the centre for introducing rate cuts to Goods and Services Tax (GST), asserting that it would provide the “necessary impetus” to consumption and investment.
Labelling the GST reforms as “revolutionary”, Mr. Reddy stated that the restructuring will make the tax system simpler and fairer for citizens.
“The GST restructuring is a revolutionary step towards a simpler, fairer tax system It is a commendable move to make goods & services more simpler and affordable to every citizen. Here and there, there might be a few glitches with a few complaints but it’s a process and I am hopeful that the benefits would get passed on to the end consumers. This will surely give the necessary impetus to consumption and investment in the economy,” <Mr. Reddy posted on X. — ANI
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday (September 22, 2025) described Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Arunachal Pradesh as a “sacred and historic day” for the frontier state and the country.
Addressing a public meeting at Indira Gandhi Park, Mr. Rijiju said the state was proud to host the PM on the auspicious occasion of Navratri, and to be the State from where the next-generation GST reforms were launched.
“Today is a holy day for Arunachal Pradesh and for the nation. The PM has chosen our state, the land where the first rays of the sun touch the country, to roll out the historic GST reforms that will benefit crores of poor people across the country,” the Union Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister said. — PTI
Recent GST changes have made things simpler for housing services. The real tough part, though, is making sure customers actually see these benefits clearly. For things like property deals and inspections, the government really needs to push for straightforward invoices. They also need strong rules against price gouging. This way, any GST cut should directly show up in what customers are charged.
Setting up digital ways to check if everyone’s following the rules could stop hidden fees. It would also let buyers ask for more accountability. When people notice real savings, like lower service fees or just better openness, it doesn’t just make them feel better about housing. It also builds up trust in how we do taxes. Passing on GST savings is really about being fair and making sure consumer rights are stronger.
Luminous Power Technologies, India’s leading energy solutions company, today announced that it will pass on the full benefit of the recent GST reductions on its products to customers, effective September 22, 2025. This decision follows the policy announcement made at the 56th GST Council Meeting, held on September 3, 2025, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
“The GST reduction is a landmark step towards accelerating India’s clean energy journey. At Luminous, we are proud to pass on the full benefit of this reform to our customers, making solar and power backup solutions more affordable and accessible. Our mission is to empower every household and business with reliable, sustainable energy solutions that fuel progress and light up lives,” said Preeti Bajaj, CEO & MD, Luminous Power Technologies.
The prices of Luminous’ solar solutions and power backup will be revised, effective 22nd September 2025, in line with the GST rate reduction from 12% to 5% and 28% to 18%, respectively. Customers can contact authorised distributors of Luminous Power Technologies for details on revised MRPs effective September 22, 2025.
The new GST reforms are one of the most meaningful tax resets India has seen in years. By lowering rates across essentials, insurance, vehicles, food, and electronics, they put more money in people’s hands, ease costs for businesses, and create the right environment for growth.
The agriculture and MSME sector, tractors, fertilizers, and farm machinery now taxed at just 5% instead of 12–18% will make farming more productive and cost-efficient, while easing input costs for small businesses and strengthening rural demand.
And, the auto sector, small cars and two-wheelers moving from 28% to 18% bring real relief to middle-class families and are set to lift demand, especially in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
On the same hand, the GST rates for the textile sector, yarns and fabrics dropping from 18% to 5% improve competitiveness for domestic manufacturers and boost export potential, giving a strong push to local employment.
Health sector and insurance premiums on health and life policies, earlier taxed at 18%, are now GST-free. This immediately reduces policy costs and encourages more families to get insured, making healthcare more accessible and financially secure.
For the consumer electronics sector, products like TVs, ACs, monitors, and dishwashers dropping from 28% to 18% make them more affordable for middle-income households, creating stronger demand for durable goods.
Similarly, the food sector, essentials such as bread, dairy, and snacks are now taxed at 5% or Nil—paneer and chhena, for instance, move from 5% to Nil. This directly reduces monthly food bills and raises disposable income.
By cutting GST on essentials from 18% to 5%, exempting insurance and food staples, and rationalizing cars and appliances from 28% to 18%, these reforms directly empower households, uplift key sectors, and shield India from global shocks.”
“The timing of the GST rate changes couldn’t have been more opportune. Festive season is when Indian households often align big-ticket purchases, and reductions across key sectors like FMCG, automobiles, electronics, pharma and even insurance premiums are expected to drive a visible uptick in demand. What makes the impact even stronger is that this period traditionally sees additional festive discounts layered on by businesses, which when combined with lower GST incidence, can significantly accelerate consumer spending. For industry, this relief enables companies to pass on benefits without squeezing margins, clear inventories faster and strengthen working capital during the busiest sales cycle of the year. Importantly, such a demand-side push helps cushion the domestic economy from global headwinds, supporting both consumption and business sentiment. The government’s proactive communication ensures the common man sees and benefits from these changes, signalling GST’s evolution into a calibrated, growth-oriented policy tool.”
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday (September 22, 2025) said the GST reforms will boost consumption of ‘swadeshi’ goods and services, resulting in a resilient and stronger economy.
“Today, 22nd September 2025, is to getting etched in history as an iconic date as Bharat rolls out the Next-Generation GST reforms under the visionary leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shree Narendra Modi Ji,” the CM said in a post on X.
The upgraded GST slabs bring about a welcome change in the way people produce and consume, he said.
“Easier compliances, reduced GST on MSMEs will encourage manufacturers and producers to build for India, to Make in India. The reduction in GST will ultimately boost consumption of Swadeshi goods and services, resulting towards a resilient and stronger economy built on the bedrock of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” Mr. Majhi asserted.
“These Next-Gen GST reforms tie the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India together and form a more cohesive action plan towards Viksit Bharat 2047,” he said. — PTI
The Next-Gen GST reforms are a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s steely resolve to serve the poor, youth, farmers and women, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Monday (September 22, 2025) as the new tax structure came into effect across the country.
Mr. Shah also said that the new reforms will move the wheel of India’s growth even faster on the path of becoming the most prosperous country in the world. — PTI
Next-Gen GST reforms testament to PM Modi’s resolve to serve poor, farmers, says Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on GST reforms: Next-Gen GST reforms by PM Modi aim to serve the poor, youth, farmers, and women, boosting India's growth.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on GST reforms: Next-Gen GST reforms by PM Modi aim to serve the poor, youth, farmers, and women, boosting India's growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with local entrepreneurs and members of self-help groups in Arunachal Pradesh’s capital Itanagar on Monday (September 22, 2025).
He visited an exhibition that was organised at the venue of his public meeting in Indira Gandhi Park, and held the interaction, officials said.
The PM asked traders how the latest GST reforms were helping them. — PTI
Prime Minister Modi interacts with local entrepreneurs in Arunachal Pradesh, emphasizing 'Vocal for Local' campaign and GST reforms.
Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav has taken a swipe at the BJP government, asking where the GST collections over the past eight years have gone.
“The public is asking where the money collected in the name of GST has gone,” Mr. Yadav wrote, listing possibilities such as whether the total amount would be delivered in cash to people’s homes like the “UP BJP government’s Mahakumbh model”, adjusted in the next insurance premium, credited directly to bank accounts as direct benefit transfer, or deducted from the “₹15 lakh” promised earlier by the BJP.
In the post late on Sunday (September 22, 2025) night, Mr. Yadav further asked if the amount would be distributed along with the long-pending promise of subsidised LPG cylinders, paid using funds allegedly received by BJP from companies through “backdoor routes”, handed out in cash on the eve of the next election, used to waive school fees for children, or compensated by making medicines and healthcare free for the sick and elderly.
“Or will it simply be added to the BJP’s jumlakosh (fund of promises)?” Yadav said in a parting jibe.
In a previous post made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s GST-related address to the nation on Sunday evening, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, had said: “Bachat ya chapat (relief or rip-off)“. — PTI
The new Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab implementation came into effect on Monday (September 22, 2025), with citizens from across the national capital sharing their opinions on the changes.
In Delhi, Ravi Shankar Kumar, a resident, said, “There are several benefits for middle-class families. Be it ghee, butter, milk or ice cream, the prices have gone down. We will have some benefits in terms of what we spend in a month on dairy products.”
Another consumer, Sahil, also welcomed the move, saying, “Rates of ice cream, butter and other milk products have reduced. It is a good step by Modi.”
VK Baghel, another Delhi resident, stated, “It starts today, then we will see how much cheaper things actually get. Milk prices have not gone down, but for other products, when people buy, then we will know the impact.”
From Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, consumer Narsingh Pathak, explaining the benefits, shared, “It is a very good decision. It is also beneficial for the automobile sector. Those who had to pay up to Rs 1 lakh in tax to buy small cars will greatly benefit, as they will now be able to save up to Rs 80,000. The price of motorcycles will also reduce by around Rs 35,000. Diabetes and cancer medicines will also become cheaper.”
A farmer in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh welcomed the slashing of GST Rates, saying that this would impact the prices of farm equipment like tractors.
“Earlier the GST used to be in 4 slabs and is now in 2. This will benefit farmers in the long run because Rs 50 per bag has been reduced on fertilizers… There will be a difference of Rs 40-50 thousand when we buy tractors which is beneficial for us. We welcome this move… Due to the reforms, every section of the society will benefit,” he said. — ANI
As the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms come into effect on Monday, BJP leader CR Kesavan lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi while hitting out at the INDIA bloc, saying their motive is “Parivar Nirbhar Bharat”.
Mr. Kesavan referred to the GST reforms as a “monumental triumph” and hailed PM Modi’s call for self-reliance.
He told ANI, “GST reforms are a monumental triumph for our cooperative federalism and parliamentary democracy. Prime Minister Modi Ji’s clarion call for a Swadeshi revolution and his nationalistic vision of self-reliance have inspired a new dimension to the GST. Go Swadeshi today, go Swadeshi tomorrow.”
“When it comes to Bharat’s future and our people’s welfare, Prime Minister Modi thinks at least 50 years ahead. While the Congress and the INDI bloc’s only motive is Parivar Nirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister has given us a lofty vision and goal of an Atmarnirbar Bharat,” he added. — ANI
“The market is likely to witness a dualistic behaviour today with the IT sector getting impacted by the H-1B visa issue and the domestic consumption themes responding to the potential big boost to consumption coming from the lower GST rates kicking in from today,” VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said that the transformative reforms in the tax structure places people at the centre of governance.
He said, “Odisha expresses its heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this visionary and transformative reform that truly places people at the centre of governance.” Mr. Majhi said this after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation, said a “GST savings festival” will begin from the first day of ‘Navratri’ on Monday, which, coupled with the income tax exemption, will be a “double bonanza” for most people.
“From tomorrow, India enters a new era of simpler, fairer, and more transparent taxation. By easing compliance, empowering MSMEs, creating jobs, boosting consumption, and promoting Swadeshi initiatives, these reforms will directly benefit citizens and strengthen the nation’s economy,” Mr. Majhi said in a post on X. — PTI
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set for its most significant revamp since 2017. Beginning September 22, 2025, the country will adopt a simplified two-tier tax system. The majority of goods and services will be taxed at 5% and 18%. A 40% tax will be levied on ultra luxury items.
The decision, taken at the 56th GST Council meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to make taxation more transparent and easier to comply with.
GST reforms impact: India is all set to have a simplified two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18% from September 22, 2025.
The Goods and Services Tax Council approved rate cuts for several food products, consumer electronics, products in the agriculture sector, renewable energy, textile, health and more on Wednesday (September 3, 2025). After the rationalisation, the GST system is now made of two rates – 5% and 18% – down from the four original rates of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%. Besides the two rates, some products like sin goods and luxury goods are taxed at 40%. Revenue from these sectors will help support any shortfall in tax revenues to the States.
GST overhaul aims for benefits to the ‘common man’ with rate cuts in essentials, some luxury goods taxed at 40% The recent GST reforms from the 56th Council meeting mark a watershed moment for the Indian construction industry, which has long struggled with complex tax structures and rising material costs. Prima facie, these reforms, effective as of September 22, offer significant potential for growth. However, their success will depend on how effectively we implement them and how transparently the benefits are distributed throughout the supply chain.
Recent GST reforms in Indian construction industry offer potential growth, but success depends on effective implementation and transparent distribution.
Highlighting that the second generation GST reforms will boost the economy by increasing demand, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (September 18, 2025) said that the determination of September 22 as the date when revamped taxes will come into effect has a very strong influence on West Bengal.
“I am happy to say that the determination of 22nd September as the implementation date for the next generation GST reforms was largely influenced by (Durga) Puja. The Shubh Mangal Diwas when the revamped GST comes into effect coincides with the first day of Navratri, the day after Mahalaya. There is, therefore, a strong influence of Bengal in this decision-making,” Ms. Sitharaman said at an event in Kolkata.
Union Finance Minister announces second generation GST reforms to boost economy, influenced by Durga Puja in West Bengal.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has welcomed the launch of the next-generation GST reforms by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the initiative would strengthen India’s journey towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat 2.0.
In a post on X on Sunday, Mr. Sawant said the Prime Minister had urged states to strengthen the ecosystem for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), build infrastructure to attract investment and enhance manufacturing competitiveness with the vision of “Vocal for Local, Think Global”.
“Goa is fully committed to this mission — modernising infrastructure, simplifying processes and empowering our entrepreneurs so that Swadeshi products shine proudly in India and across the globe,” the CM said.
In his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a number of reforms, among which was a “Deepavali gift” of next-generation reforms to GST. In the days that followed, the government made clear what it was proposing: reducing the number of slabs in GST, and moving most items to lower rates.
The GST currently has at least seven different rates: 0.25%, 3%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28%, and a compensation cess levied on the items in the 28% slab. The Union government proposed to reduce these to four: a rate of less than 1% for the items currently in 0.25% and 3% (diamonds, semi-precious stones, jewellery, and precious metals), 5%, 18%, and 40%. As per the proposal, 99% of the items currently in the 12% slab would move to 5%, and 90% of the items in the 28% slab would move to 18%. The remaining items in the 28% slab — mainly ‘sin’ goods and services such as tobacco, cigarettes, and online gaming — would move to a higher tax rate of 40%.
However, the thrust of the change is to ensure that vast majority of items would be in just the two slabs of 5% and 18%.
GST Council accepts Union government's proposal to simplify GST structure, reduce tax rates, and rationalize slabs for economic growth.
Greeting people on the first day of Navaratri, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the auspicious period is special this time as it will render the mantra of ‘swadeshi’ a new energy along with the “GST-saving festival”.
He called upon people to be part of a collective effort to realise the resolve of developed and self-reliant India.
The Prime Minister wished people good fortune and health during the festive period.
Reduced GST rates on a vast number of items will be effective from Monday, which Mr. Modi had likened to a saving festival during his address to the nation on Sunday. Urging people to buy indigenous products, he had said ‘swadeshi’ will render strength to the country’s prosperity in a similar way it powered India’s freedom movement.
Goods and Services Tax (GST) was introduced in India with a view to promoting consumption and production efficiencies with a tax system that was destination-based. The objective was to ensure that the tax incidence fell on final consumers and taxes paid on inputs were rebated. The way GST evolved in the presence of a complex compensation cess mechanism continued to suffer from multiple tax rates, inverted duty structure and considerable compliance cost.
To the extent that the government has to bear a substantive amount of foregone revenues on account of these GST reforms, this benefit would accrue to the tax-payer and his disposable incomes would go up. Much of the benefit would accrue to consumers of goods in the 5% rate category, that are necessities.
The GST impact on growth arises from avoiding cascading and promoting better resource allocation
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that the Centre was taking undue credit for lowering GST rates, though the move was initiated by the state.
Her statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation, said a “GST savings festival” will begin from the first day of ‘Navratri’ on Monday, which, coupled with the income tax exemption, will be a “double bonanza” for most people.
Without naming the Prime Minister, Ms. Banerjee said, “We are losing ₹20,000 crore as revenue, but we are happy about the lowering of GST. But why are you [Modi] claiming credit for it? We had sought a lowered GST. It was our suggestion at the GST Council meeting..”
There are several reasons why the GST rate cuts make sense now. The first is that the legal period for the GST compensation cess will likely be coming to an end this calendar year. It can be levied up to March 31, 2026 or till when the Centre pays off its loans, whichever is earlier.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said she expects the loans to be repaid this calendar year. The removal of this cess, without raising the base rates on tobacco products, would mean that these ‘sin’ goods would have suddenly become significantly cheaper. This is something the Union government could not be seen to be condoning. That set a time limit by when the new rates had to be implemented.
The other reason is that the government expects some sort of detrimental impact from the 50% tariff imposed by the U.S. on imports from India. This is clear from the fact that, despite a strong 7.8% GDP growth in Q1 of this financial year, the government has not changed its 6.3%-6.8% growth estimate for the full year, implying it expects growth in the subsequent quarters to be significantly slower. The boost from the GST rate cuts is expected to offset this hit.
GST Council approves new tax rates, reducing most items to 0%, 5%, 18%, and 40%, sparking mixed reactions and revenue concerns.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said with the slew of GST reforms set to come into effect from September 22, a total of ₹2 lakh crore will be in the hands of the people, boosting domestic consumption.
With the simplification of the Goods and Services Tax from the earlier four slabs to 2 slabs, Ms. Sitharaman said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to ensure that the poor and downtrodden, middle-class families and the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) largely benefit out of the GST reforms.
The Finance Minister was speaking at the 80th anniversary of the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association in Madurai on Friday (September 19, 2025).
Nirmala Sitharaman announces simplified GST reforms to benefit the poor, middle class, and MSMEs, boosting domestic consumption.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday said the GST reforms will strengthen national economy and provide relief from inflation.
Ms. Gupta, who is set to participate in the ‘GST Savings Festival’ at Totaram Market in Tri Nagar on Monday afternoon, said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to simplify the tax system and make it citizen-friendly has ushered in Diwali early for the capital’s traders.
“It feels as if Diwali has come early this year for the people of Delhi. A festive spirit is already visible across the city’s shopping areas,” she said, adding that the simplified Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure will also provide relief from inflation and give a new direction to development.
The decision to hike U.S. H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, trade talks and the GST rate cut will be the key drivers for stock market movement this week, analysts said.
Besides, trends in global equity markets would also be tracked by investors.
“This week, markets will first react to the U.S. imposing an annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B visas, announced late on Friday (September 19, 2025). While export-driven sectors are already grappling with tariff-related pressures, this move could further weigh on IT services exporters at a sensitive time when trade negotiations remain underway,” Ajit Mishra – SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said.
Key drivers for stock market movement this week include U.S. H-1B visa fee hike, trade talks, and GST rate cut.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set for its most significant revamp since 2017. Beginning September 22, 2025, the country will adopt a simplified two-tier tax system. The majority of goods and services will be taxed at 5% and 18%. A 40% tax will be levied on ultra luxury items.
The decision, taken at the 56th GST Council meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, aims to make taxation more transparent and easier to comply with.
GST reforms impact: India is all set to have a simplified two-slab GST structure of 5% and 18% from September 22, 2025.
Daily essentials and food products will be cheaper from Monday (September 22, 2025), as leading FMCG companies have slashed prices, extending GST cut benefits to consumers.
The move is expected to lead to a spike in consumption and a surge in sales during the upcoming festival season, which starts with the Navratra celebrations.
FMCG companies have extended benefits of GST 2.0 with immediate reduction on price without any disruption, along with some discounts for festivals as they expect to enter a new growth phase after facing a few challenging quarters that saw persistent food inflation and slow pace of urban consumption.
Leading FMCG companies slash prices on daily essentials and food products, extending GST cut benefits to consumers.
Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of taking “sole ownership” of the amendments made to the goods and services tax (GST) regime, the Congress on Sunday (September 21, 2025) said the current reforms were inadequate and did not provide any resolution to the States’ demand for an extension of compensation for another five years.
In response to Mr. Modi’s address to the nation, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge used a Hindi idiom to take a dig at the Prime Minister. Taking to X, Mr. Kharge claimed that the public would never forget that the government “collected the highest GST on their dal-chawal-grain, pencils, books, treatment, farmers’ tractors”.
Congress criticises PM Modi for taking credit for GST reforms, demands further changes to address state compensation and sectoral issues.
Hours before the new two-slab Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime is about to be rolled out at midnight on Sunday (September 21, 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed it a “ bachat utsav”, a festival of savings, and the first step towards “ aatmanirbharta” or economic self-reliance for Indians.
In a televised broadcast to the nation, Mr. Modi drew connections between the simplification of the GST regime from a four-slab to two-slab system, ease in compliance, and the reduction in prices resulting from it to a larger point about the need for Indians to weed out foreign-made products from their everyday life, and adopt products made in India, boosting the country’s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Prime Minister Modi introduces new GST regime as a festival of savings and step towards self-reliance.
Prices of kitchen staples to electronics, from medicines and equipment to automobiles, will get cheaper from Monday (September 22, 2025) as the reduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates on about 375 items come into effect.
In a bonanza to consumers, the GST Council, comprising Centre and States, has decided to reduce tax rates on goods and services, from September 22 — the first day of the Navaratri.
Mass consumption items like ghee, paneer, butter, ‘namkeen’, ketchup, jam, dry fruits, coffee and ice creams, and aspirational goods like TV, AC, washing machines will become cheaper.
GST rates on 375 items reduced, leading to cheaper prices on kitchen staples, electronics, medicines, and automobiles from September 22.
Published – September 22, 2025 06:33 am IST
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