Gurugram (Haryana) [India], September 25 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday took part in the bhoomi pujan of the Gurugram Metro Rail at Sector-44, stating that the project will play a crucial role in driving the city’s economic progress. Former Chief Minister and Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was also present.
The Chief Minister emphasised that Gurugram, which has grown from a small town into a major IT and industrial hub, requires a modern and empowered transport system.
‘Gurugram was once a small town. Today, it is emerging as an IT and industry hub. But this rapidly expanding city always needed an empowered and modern mode of transport. This dream of Metro Rail is not a project of just bricks and stones. It is related to our resolve of the economic progress of our city, environmental conservation, and citizens' convenience,’ CM Saini said while addressing the gathering.
On Thursday, the Chief Minister had also highlighted several key decisions taken at the 56th meeting of the GST Council held in New Delhi. These included rationalisation of the tax structure, reduction in tax rates on essential goods, simplification of the registration process, exemption of life and health insurance (including reinsurance) from taxation, and the abolition of cess to provide relief to citizens.
The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister and GST Council Chairperson Nirmala Sitharaman and attended by finance ministers of states and Union Territories, along with GST Council members.
In response to questions, CM Saini said GST rates had been rationalised on food items, healthcare and agricultural equipment, fertiliser inputs, renewable energy, textiles, and other commonly used goods. He said the reduction in GST on food items would help lower prices, control inflation, and make nutritious food more accessible to the public.
He specifically pointed out the reduction in GST rates on tractors and their parts, noting that this would lower input costs for farmers, promote the adoption of modern machinery, and contribute to the modernisation of agriculture.
Expressing gratitude to the Central Government and the GST Council, CM Saini said it has been proposed to reduce the GST rate on dairy products such as packaged milk and cheese from 5 per cent to zero.
(ANI)