QuotePM Modi hails passage of GST in Parliament, terms it as Great Step towards Transformation
QuoteGST is a Great Step by Team India and a Great Step towards Transparency, says PM Modi
QuoteImminent passage of GST not a victory for any political party, but for Indian democracy: PM
QuoteConsensus over GST is proving that national issues are above politics: PM Modi
QuoteGST will bring uniformity in taxation, consumers will be supreme in the new dispensation: PM
QuoteGST would help reduce corruption in collection, as well as the cost of collection: PM
QuoteSmall businesses will gain tremendously from GST, asserts PM Modi

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today described the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as a “Great Step by Team India,” a “Great Step Towards Transformation,” and a “Great Step Towards Transparency.”

He was intervening during the debate in the Lok Sabha on the GST Bill.

The Prime Minister noted the date – 8th August – and recalled that in 1942, on this very day Mahatma Gandhi had given the call for the Quit India Movement. He said that today, the country would begin its march towards freedom from tax terrorism.

He described the imminent passage of the Bill as a victory not for any political party, but for Indian democracy.

Recalling the discussions and parleys on the Goods and Services Tax, the Prime Minister said that he had invited both Ms. Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to discuss the same. He noted that one of them was a Lok Sabha MP and the other was a Rajya Sabha MP.

The Prime Minister said that the consensus over GST is proving that Rashtraneeti is above Rajneeti (national issues are above politics) in India.

He described the GST as one more pearl in the necklace of Ek Bharat – much on the lines of the Railways, the All India Services, and visions such as Bharat Net and Sagarmala.

With GST, we intend to bring uniformity in taxation, said the Prime Minister, adding that the consumer would be supreme in the new dispensation. The Prime Minister mentioned the judicious use of man, money, machine, material and minutes (time) as an important principle of sound economic policy, and said GST would aid in achieving this.

The Prime Minister said GST would also help bring in real time data, as its strength was in technology. He said most of the things that can impact consumer inflation have been kept out of the ambit of GST. He said GST would help reduce corruption in collection, as well as the cost of collection.

The Prime Minister asserted that small businesses will also gain tremendously from GST, and will feel more secure with GST.

The Prime Minister said that the Government is focusing on economic and educational empowerment of the poor, so that we can mitigate poverty.

Click here to read full text speech

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Departure statement by Prime Minister ahead of his visit to Thailand and Sri Lanka
April 03, 2025

At the invitation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, I am departing today for Thailand on an Official visit and to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit.

Over the past decade, BIMSTEC has emerged as a significant forum for promoting regional development, connectivity and economic progress in the Bay of Bengal region. With its geographical location, India’s North Eastern region lies at the heart of BIMSTEC. I look forward to meeting the leaders of the BIMSTEC countries and engaging productively to further strengthen our collaboration with interest of our people in mind.

During my official visit, I will have the opportunity to engage with Prime Minister Shinawatra and the Thai leadership, with a common desire to elevate our age-old historical ties, which are based on the strong foundations of shared culture, philosophy, and spiritual thought.

From Thailand, I will pay a two day visit to Sri Lanka from 04-06 April. This follows the highly successful visit of President Disanayaka to India last December. We will have the opportunity to review progress made on the joint vision of “Fostering Partnerships for a Shared Future” and provide further guidance to realise our shared objectives.

I am confident that these visits will build on the foundations of the past and contribute to strengthening our close relationships for the benefit of our people and the wider region.