Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Goods and Services Tax (GST) before addressing Member of Parliaments in the historic Central Hall in presence of President and other noted dignitaries. GST is a Good and Simple Tax, PM said just before launching the Goods and Services Tax.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said, “At the midnight hour we will be launching one of India’s most ambitious tax reforms. For India, it will begin a new journey”. Today it was the fourth time since Independence that an event was held in the Central Hall during midnight. The last three was held in celebration of India’s Independence and that is among the reasons that the Congress has listed for boycotting the GST launch. Several other Leaders of Opposition too stayed away.
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PM Modi said, “Today, after years, for a new economy, give new power to our federalism – there can be no better place than this. We are deciding India’s future. On Friday, GST Council had its 18th meeting. It is a coincidence that the Bhagavad Gita also has 18 chapters.”
“GST is uniting Indian markets. Imagine what India would have looked like today if Sardar Vallabhai Patel hadn’t united all kingdoms of India. Albert Einstein had once said that if there is one thing that is most difficult to understand, it is income tax. I wonder what he would have said had he seen the GST,” PM added.
“Law say’s that GST is Goods and Services Tax, but in reality, it is Good and Simple Tax. It is a social reform, rather than economic reform. When we do things, there are concerns. People who create unnecessary concerns, I request them not to,” said PM.
