Delhi: Union ministers Nirmala Sitharaman, Piyush Goyal, and Ashwini Vaishnaw announce 'GST Bachat Utsav'

New Delhi [India], October 18 (ANI): Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, and Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw convened a joint press conference regarding the GST Bachat Utsav in New Delhi today.
In her opening remarks, Nirmala Sitharaman stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced from the Red Fort that the implementation of Next-Generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms would occur prior to the Diwali festival.
"Accordingly, rate reduction, simplifying the process, bringing down the number of slabs from four to two, and resolving classification-related issues have all been completed well before time. Next-Gen GST Reforms came into effect from the first day of Navratri, and I feel the people of India have received it well," Sitharaman said, as stated in the release.
The Union Finance Minister said, "We set the course for GST, we implemented it. The Opposition neither brought GST nor even dared to attempt it. What we are doing today is not a correction, but a conscious decision - a reflection of cooperation between the Central Government and the GST Council to pass on greater benefits to the people."

"A reduction in tax rates is for the benefit of consumers -- and that's exactly what Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi has guided us to do. We have been doing this consistently since 2017 till today," Sitharaman said.
The Union Finance Minister further added, "Since September 22, we have been receiving information from the zonal levels on all items. However, we have been closely monitoring the prices of 54 products to ensure that the benefits of the revised tax structure are reaching the end consumers. The Next-Gen GST benefits have been fully passed on across all 54 items."
According to the release, the Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance, is actively monitoring select 54 products during the Next-Gen GST transition period.
Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister and Finance Minister for making this year's Navratri special with the implementation of the next-generation GST on September 22.
He said that the reform has brought a new excitement and energy across the country -- among the common people, the industrial and commercial sectors, and within households. Calling it the biggest reform since independence, the Minister said that the indirect tax system impacts 140 crore Indians, and the decision to provide relief of Rs 2.5 lakh crore through both direct and indirect tax measures is unprecedented and beyond imagination.
Goyal highlighted that the major relief announced in income tax on February 1 this year was a major step towards encouraging savings and increasing disposable income for the people. He stated that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister has been working on comprehensive tax reforms for the past year and a half, which culminated in the announcement on September 3, 2025.
Goyal noted that the multiplier effect of these reforms is already visible in investment, business, and industry, which has created a surge in the Indian economy and boosted consumer spending. Goyal said that when infrastructure development and daily essentials become more affordable, the combined push from both supply and demand sides helps the economy grow faster, making India the fastest-growing large economy in the world.
In his opening remarks today, Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the remarkable growth in India's electronics ecosystem and the positive multiplier effects of GST reforms on consumption, investment, and manufacturing.
The Minister said that the Indian economy continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals driven by record consumer demand, policy stability, and a rapidly expanding manufacturing base.
Vaishnaw informed that this year's Navratri season witnessed record-breaking sales in the electronics sector, registering a 20-25% increase compared to last year. All major retail chains have reported unprecedented demand across product categories -- from televisions and washing machines to smartphones and air conditioners. Notably, 85-inch televisions were completely sold out, and many families upgraded their appliances to newer models, reflecting a rise in consumer confidence and purchasing power.
Vaishnaw noted that GST reforms have brought structural stability to the economy, particularly benefitting middle-class households by moderating food inflation. Over the past four consecutive months, food prices have exhibited a deflationary trend of approximately 2 per cent, helping to maintain household purchasing power and support sustained consumer demand.
Vaishnaw added that the surge in demand has directly translated into double-digit growth in India's electronics manufacturing sector, generating employment for over 25 lakh people across the country. India has also surpassed its neighbouring country in smartphone exports to the United States, one of the world's largest consumer markets.
A major global company now manufactures 20 per cent of its total production in India, reflecting the country's emergence as a preferred destination for global manufacturing. As demand increases, investment rises, and in turn, further boosts demand -- creating a virtuous cycle of economic growth.
Highlighting a key milestone in India's technology ecosystem, Vaishnaw announced that production has commenced at two semiconductor manufacturing facilities -- CG Semi and Kaynes -- marking a crucial step in India's journey towards semiconductor self-reliance. With these plants going live, India has entered a new phase in its semiconductor ecosystem, aligning with the Prime Minister's vision of a technologically empowered and self-reliant Bharat.
Referring to macroeconomic data, Vaishnaw said that out of India's ₹335 lakh crore GDP last year, ₹202 lakh crore came from consumption and ₹98 lakh crore from investment. The impact of GST reforms is clearly visible, as consumption has increased by nearly 10 per cent this year, reflecting an additional ₹20 lakh crore in consumer spending.
This increase is expected to drive a corresponding rise in investments, reinforcing the growth momentum and demonstrating how GST reforms have strengthened the link between consumption and investment in the economy. (ANI)