BJP plans nationwide outreach to apprise people of GST reforms

NEW DELHI: With the BJP planning a nationwide outreach programme to apprise people, including traders, of the latest GST reforms brought in by the Modi govt, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday shared key features of the reforms with party's media department and other senior functionaries from the organisation.

While Sitharaman spoke about the reforms to over 50 party functionaries, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnav, at a press conference, said that before 2014, there was such a tax web in place that every item was subject to multiple levies, placing a heavy burden on the common man, especially middle-class families, from which PM Modi has provided great relief and a gift to middle-class families. "Nov 22, the first day of Navratri, will bring new joy for the 140 crore citizens of the country and every middle-class family," the Union minister said.

Vaishnaw said that GST rate cuts will not only benefit the common people but also boost India's economy and hit out at the Congress, alleging "heavy burden" of tax during its term at the Centre. "These reforms will not only boost savings for the common citizen and reduce the tax burden but also strengthen industries, giving new momentum to the country's economy," said BJP's chief spokesperson and Lok Sabha MP Anil Baluni, who felicitated the finance minister at the party headquarters for the "bold reforms".