Last Updated:
PM Narendra Modi was addressing a gathering during a meeting with National Awardee Teachers at his residence.
PM Modi was addressing a gathering during meeting with National Awardee Teachers at his residence. (YouTube)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday took a dig at the Congress over imposing high taxes on essential goods during its regime, saying that if the BJP government had done the same, then people would have “grabbed” him by the hair.
While addressing a gathering during a meeting with National Awardee Teachers at his residence, 7LKM Marg in the national capital, PM Modi said that the then Congress government used to burden the people with high taxes as they used to levy a 21% tax even on toffees for children.
“No one can forget how the Congress government had increased your monthly budget… They used to levy a 21% tax even on toffees for children. If Modi had done this, they would have pulled my hair out,” he said.
#WATCH | Delhi | On #GSTReforms, PM Narendra Modi says, “No one can forget how the Congress government had increased your monthly budget… They used to levy a 21% tax even on toffees for children. If Modi had done this, they would have pulled my hair out.”(Source: DD News) pic.twitter.com/uXItQfxqOW
— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2025
He further hailed the GST Council’s decision to rationalise the indirect tax regime, calling it the “next generation of reforms” that will take effect from September 22.
“Now GST has become even simpler. There are only two slabs left- 5% and 18%- making it easier for every citizen and business,” the Prime Minister said.
Hailing the GST reforms, PM Modi said that the poor, neo middle class, middle class women, students, farmers and youth would particularly benefit from the decision. He further said that these would lead to “ease of doing business”, and boost employment and investments.
PM Modi added that the quality of life of the citizens would see an improvement, with consumption and growth getting a renewed push in the aftermath of the reforms.
The GST Council scrapped the 12% and 28% slabs, retaining only the 5% and 18% rates. Effective September 22, the changes mark one of the most sweeping resets since GST was introduced in 2017. Items earlier taxed at the higher rates will now largely migrate to the lower two slabs, making essentials, personal care items, restaurant meals, travel, gadgets and even automobiles more affordable.
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…Read More
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… Read More
September 04, 2025, 19:20 IST
Read More
