GST Savings Festival and Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan
GST Reforms Support the Middle Class.
The air was buzzing at the Mahanagar office today as the city hosted a major press conference, shining a light on two massive national initiatives: The “GST Savings Festival” and the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan” (Self-Reliant India Pledge Campaign). This dual focus underscores a crucial time for India, mixing smart tax reforms with a big push for local products.
The ‘Next Generation’ Tax Reform for Savings
Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel, the Member of Parliament for Ahmedabad East and the State In-charge for the GST Savings Festival, spoke passionately about the big tax changes. He told reporters that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has brought in a “Next Generation GST” which is like a Diwali gift before Diwali, starting from the first day of Navratri. This new tax system is all about making things better for the country’s economy.
Our research shows that this is a huge deal. The government has drastically simplified the GST system, removing the old 12% and 28% slabs. Now, almost everything falls into just two main tax brackets: 5% and 18%. This is a big win for the common person! Imagine buying things like hair oil, soap, toothpaste, bicycles, and even small household items—the tax on many of these has been cut down to just 5%. Even bigger items like TVs, fridges, washing machines, and small cars have seen their tax rate drop from 28% to 18%. This is what Shri Patel meant when he said that for the first time in history, tax has been cut on more than 400 items at once. This is more money staying in people’s pockets, which should boost their buying power and make festive shopping truly joyous. This change is designed to simplify how businesses work and make many essential goods much more affordable for all families.
But the ground reality is a bit different, the new prices are not yet implemented by all companies in all 413 products, for e.g. Amul products, which are the most common commodity used by everyone, have not yet slashed the price after the GST reform.
The Nationwide Call for Self-Reliance
The second major topic was the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan. Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel explained that this campaign is based on the Prime Minister’s vision to make India an “economic superpower” by becoming self-reliant. He stressed the importance of buying things made right here in India, or “swadeshi” goods, and for shopkeepers to focus on selling them. This is seen as the only way to succeed in what he called the fight from “terror to tariff,” meaning the challenges of both security and trade wars.
Further details on this campaign show just how big this movement is set to be. The Bharatiya Janata Party is leading the charge to make it a “Jan Andolan” (a people’s movement). The campaign is running for three full months, from September 15th to December 15th (or a similar timeline as seen in other states, from late September to late December). The activities are incredibly diverse, going far beyond simple speeches. The plan includes:
- Gatherings for small traders and industrialists to discuss how they can help the country become self-reliant.
- Stickers are being put up everywhere on doors, at homes, and in shops to spread the message easily.
- Competitions like essay writing and Rangoli in schools and colleges are used to get students involved.
- Public awareness programs like street plays (Nukkad Nataks), morning processions (Prabhat Feris), and exhibitions aim to reach everyone in a fun and engaging way.
This ambitious program is not just about reducing imports; it’s about making India a global manufacturing hub, boosting local jobs, and encouraging new businesses. The goal is to build strong, local industries that can compete with the best in the world.
Leaders Present
The event saw key city leaders showing their support, including Mahanagar President Shri Prerakbhai Shah, Mahanagar General Secretary and Naranpura MLA Shri Jitubhai Patel, General Secretary Shri Pareshbhai Lakhani, and General Secretary Shri Bhushanbhai Bhatt. Their presence signalled the strong commitment of the local leadership to make both the GST reforms and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission a success in the city.
Synopsis of the Content
- A joint press conference was held at the Mahanagar (Metropolitan) office on the “GST Savings Festival” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan.”
- Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel, MP for Ahmedabad East and State In-charge for the GST program, said the new ‘Next Generation GST’ is like a Diwali gift before Diwali, implemented from the first day of Navratri.
- The reform will simplify the tax system, boost the economy, and increase citizens’ purchasing power by offering savings on festival shopping.
- The number of GST slabs has been simplified to just two: 5% and 18%.
- Tax has been reduced on more than 400 items, making them cheaper and benefiting all citizens.
- Shri Patel stated that the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan is crucial to make India an economic superpower by promoting self-reliance and prioritising the purchase of Indian-made (swadeshi) goods.
- The campaign is a “Jan Andolan” (people’s movement) running for 90 days (from September 15 to December 15) to promote this goal.
- Activities include meetings for small traders, putting up stickers at homes and shops, organising essay and Rangoli contests in schools/colleges, and conducting public awareness events like street plays and exhibitions.
- Several local leaders, including Mahanagar President Shri Prerakbhai Shah and other General Secretaries and an MLA, were present at the press conference.
