With the historic Goods and Services Tax (GST) becoming a reality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said in a tweet that Former Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel integrated India territorially and the GST would integrate the nation economically.
“Sardar Patel integrated India territorially, GST is integrating India economically,” Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Sardar Patel integrated India territorially, GST is integrating India economically. pic.twitter.com/XYNUr6p7z1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2017
He further said, “GST showcases the power of Team India, It shows how the Centre and states come together to do good for the poor.”
GST showcases the power of Team India, It shows how the Centre and states come together to do good for the poor. pic.twitter.com/LayRxP3nP6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 1, 2017
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh assured that the GST would unleash the true potential of the huge market in India. “GST Becomes A Reality: GST will help in unleashing the true potential of our huge market & also boost India’s GDP #GST4NewIndia @askGST_GoI,” Singh tweeted.
GST Becomes A Reality: GST will help in unleashing the true potential of our huge market & also boost India’s GDP #GST4NewIndia @askGST_GoI pic.twitter.com/tlsZg73DJT
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) July 1, 2017
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar tweeted, “A new era of taxation begins with #GSTForNewIndia. Congratulation to PM @narendramodi ji for unifying the nation economically.”
A new era of taxation begins with #GSTForNewIndia. Congratulation to PM @narendramodi ji for unifying the nation economically.
— Manohar Parrikar (@manoharparrikar) July 1, 2017
Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu also congratulated PM Modi for embarking GST:
Congratulations India for embarking on the path of a Good, Simple Tax, GST. It’s a historic moment. 1/
— M Venkaiah Naidu (@MVenkaiahNaidu) July 1, 2017
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu also congratulated PM Modi:
#OneNationOneTaxOneMarket pic.twitter.com/VXXmbLtlDG
— Suresh Prabhu (@sureshpprabhu) July 1, 2017
Party leader Amit Shah termed this day as a ‘historic day’:
Historic day.#GSTForNewIndia pic.twitter.com/DgFI7tyiEy
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) June 30, 2017
Arun Jaitely rolled out his midnight introductory remark:
My introductory remark at the midnight roll out of #GST https://t.co/VJYFnGrp1E
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) July 1, 2017
Meanwhile Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi criticised Government’s move of GST:
पहले नोटों की मार अब GST का वार, छोटे व्यापारियों में हाहाकार#Suitbootkisarkar #GSTTamasha pic.twitter.com/320rHYPnwE
— INC India (@INCIndia) June 30, 2017
Even Sagarika Ghose tweeted on hope of bettermen t of the nation from GST:
Got to hand it to @narendramodi for constant unsparing effort. Agree or disagree,he endeavours tirelessly.Hope #GST creates better taxation!
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) June 30, 2017
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that “India unites to enter the new era as we adopt GST”
India unites to enter the new era as we adopt #GSTForNewIndia &for this revolution,Maharashtra completely supports Hon PM @narendramodi ji! pic.twitter.com/JmBTBNX2Q7
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) June 30, 2017
Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari also tweeted:
Congratulations to FM @arunjaitley and Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council for delivering an ontime, unanimous economic reform
— Nitin Gadkari (@nitin_gadkari) June 30, 2017
Ending more than 11 years of hectic argument between the Centre and states, the GST was passed and is now set to completely transform the indirect taxation landscape in the country, involving both central and state levies. In a departure from the normal practice, GST will be administered together by the Centre and States.
The biggest tax reform since independence – GST – will pave the way for realisation of the goal of One Nation – One Tax – One Market. It will benefit all the stakeholders namely industry, government and consumer as it will lower the cost of goods and services give a boost to the economy and make the products and services globally competitive, giving a major boost to ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Under the GST regime, exports will be zero-rated in entirety unlike the present system where refund of some of the taxes does not take place due to fragmented nature of indirect taxes between the Centre and the States. However, GST will make India a common market with common tax rates and procedures and remove economic barriers. GST is largely technology driven and will reduce the human interface to a great extent. GST is expected to improve ease of doing business in India.