GST reforms bring festive cheer

Delhi markets turned festive on Monday as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda reached out to shopkeepers and consumers to mark the implementation of the Next Generation GST reforms, which promise relief on hundreds of essential goods.

At Totaram Market in Tri Nagar, CM Rekha joined traders and consumers at the ‘GST Bachat Utsav’. She said the reforms, rolled out under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are now showing results.

“With prices of everyday items reduced, markets are buzzing with excitement. Housewives, traders, consumers and the general public alike are satisfied. This is a historic gift from the Prime Minister ahead of Diwali,” the Chief Minister said.

CM Gupta said reforms such as zero GST on health and life insurance and a capped 18% GST rate on vehicles would “directly benefit 140 crore citizens,” with middle-class families gaining the most. She also promised that long-pending GST refunds for traders would be released quickly.

“The Prime Minister has effectively turned this Navratri into a ‘Bachat Festival’,” she said, urging citizens to support the “Make Every Home Swadeshi” campaign by choosing domestic products. The event was attended by North Delhi MP Praveen Khandelwal, MLA Tilkram Gupta and senior BJP leaders.

At Amar Colony in South Delhi, BJP National President JP Nadda and Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva met shopkeepers and traders over tea to discuss the reforms. Merchants from the cloth and pharmaceutical sectors expressed their gratitude to PM Modi, saying the GST changes had brought visible cheer ahead of the festive season.

“I have requested them to ensure that tax benefits reach consumers, and that Indian-made products are sold in their shops,” Nadda told reporters. He said relief offered under GST would benefit crores of consumers, especially during Navratri, Dasehra and Diwali.

Sachdeva said shopkeepers and consumers alike were pleased. “Even before the festive season has officially begun, this gift from the Modi Government has come as a savings festival for the people of Delhi,” he said.

With traders pledging support for the swadeshi call and consumers already experiencing reduced prices, the BJP leaders said the GST reforms would not only provide festive relief but also strengthen India’s path towards self-reliance.