Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 28 (HBTV): Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath welcomed the landmark decision on GST reform, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their leadership. He said the reform marks the beginning of a new chapter in India’s tax system.
‘The Next Generation GST Reform, announced by the Prime Minister on Independence Day, is now becoming a reality. This is not merely a tax reform, but a decisive step towards positioning India as a leading global economy with a high growth trajectory,’ Yogi Adityanath said in a statement.
He added that the reform would strengthen the spirit of Swadeshi and self-reliance while boosting demand in sectors such as automobiles, consumer durables, and construction, thereby creating lakhs of employment opportunities.
Under the new framework, GST will be simplified into two major slabs—5% and 18%. Essential commodities will remain under the 5% slab, while a limited category of luxury items will be taxed up to 40%. Food items, medicines, and educational material in the 0–5% category are expected to ease household expenditure, enhance purchasing power for middle- and lower-income groups, and stimulate consumption.
The Chief Minister said the reform will simplify taxation and provide momentum to India’s growth story. ‘This reform will empower farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and small traders alike. Provisions such as faster refunds and easier registration will provide strong support to small entrepreneurs and startups, further elevating the Ease of Doing Business in India,’ he said.
He noted that resolving the inverted duty structure, addressing classification disputes, and ensuring a transparent tax regime will boost business confidence. With consensus between the Centre and the States, he said the reform is both comprehensive and widely acceptable.
Highlighting the government’s achievements, Yogi Adityanath pointed out that wholesale inflation has been brought down to below 2% in recent years. He added that the new GST reforms will accelerate demand and strengthen the economy, making it more stable and inclusive.
On behalf of the people of Uttar Pradesh, the Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Minister for what he called an unprecedented and revolutionary decision.
(ANI)