The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to launch a nationwide outreach program to educate citizens and traders about the recent Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms implemented by the Modi government. The initiative aims to inform the public about the simplified GST framework and its benefits, with changes taking effect from September 22, 2025.
Key Highlights of the GST Reforms:
The GST Council has approved a significant overhaul of the tax regime, primarily by limiting the tax slabs to 5% and 18%, except for items categorized as "sin and luxury goods". This simplification aims to make the tax system more transparent and easier to follow. Key changes include:
- Reduced Tax Rates on Common Use Items: GST tax rates have been slashed on everyday items such as hair oil, corn flakes, televisions, and personal health and life insurance policies.
- Dual-Rate Structure: The reforms introduce a two-slab system of 5% and 18%, eliminating the earlier 12% and 28% rates.
- Higher Taxes on Sin and Luxury Goods: A 40% tax will be levied on luxury and sin goods like pan masala, tobacco, aerated drinks, high-end cars, yachts, and private aircraft.
- Impact on Consumer Electronics: Consumer electronics like TVs, air conditioners, and dishwashers will see a price cut as they move from the 28% to the 18% GST slab.
- Affordable Essentials: Household essentials like soaps, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, tableware, and bicycles now attract a 5% GST rate.
- Healthcare Affordability: Life-saving drugs and medicines have been reduced from 12% to nil or 5%, making healthcare more accessible.
- Boost for Middle Class: Two-wheelers, small cars, TVs, ACs, and cement have been cut from 28% to 18%, providing relief to the middle class.
- Agriculture Support: Farm machinery and irrigation equipment have been reduced from 12% to 5%, reducing farming costs.
BJP's Outreach Strategy:
The BJP has developed an extensive action plan to ensure widespread awareness of these GST reforms. The strategy includes:
- Organizing 'Choupals': The party plans to organize 'choupals' (village meetings) in every district to inform people about the GST reforms.
- Large-Scale Programs: The BJP will organize large-scale programs across districts to highlight the reforms.
- Press Conferences: Senior Union ministers, party national spokespersons, and general secretaries will hold press conferences in every state.
- Informing Traders: Dedicated programs will be organized to inform traders about the simplified GST and its benefits.
- State and District Units: The BJP has engaged its state and district units to inform the public through various communicative activities, extending to remote and rural areas.
Expected Impact:
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted that these reforms would provide relief to the middle class, boost savings, reduce tax burdens, and strengthen the Indian economy. The BJP believes that the GST reforms will lead to increased demand across all sectors, promoting growth in manufacturing and job creation. The rationalization of GST rates is expected to make a wide range of goods linked to "food, clothing, and shelter" cheaper, benefiting the common man, farmers, MSMEs, women, youth, and middle-class families.
Overall, the BJP's nationwide outreach aims to ensure that citizens and traders are well-informed about the latest GST reforms, enabling them to benefit from the simplified tax structure and contribute to India's economic growth.
