"PM Modi pledges to take everyone along in development journey": Union Minister Satish Dubey on GST reforms

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], September 4 (ANI): Union Minister Satish Chandra Dubey on Thursday lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership on the GST reforms, saying that the government's focus has been on inclusive growth and uniting all sections of society.
Speaking to reporters here, the Union Minister further emphasised that the government's aim is to ensure that the benefits of growth reach every segment of the population.
Dubey said, "Prime Minister Modi has pledged that his government wants to take everyone along in this development journey, wants to work by uniting all sections of society. Other governments work on the basis of caste, but Prime Minister Modi has worked for every section of the society, including youth, women and farmers. In this way, he has tried to unite all sections equally and has worked for the benefit of all."
Earlier today, lauding the recent GST reforms, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal termed it as a significant step in the direction of ensuring an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
Goyal emphasised that the collective resolve of 140 crore Indians will drive the country towards becoming a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047.
Speaking at the IPHEX 2025 International Exhibition on Pharma and Healthcare, the Union Minister said, "Yesterday's GST reforms are a step in the direction of ensuring an Atmanirbhar Bharat, an India which is self-sufficient, self-reliant, an India whose supply chains are self-reliant, an India that cares for every Indian. 140 crore Indians coming together with the collective resolve to make India, Viksit Bharat by 2047, a developed and prosperous nation where everybody gets opportunity, where everybody becomes a participant of India's inclusive and sustainable growth story."
The 56th GST council meeting decided to rationalise GST rates to two slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent by merging the 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates.
5% slab consists of essential goods and services, including food and kitchen item like butter, ghee, cheese, dairy spreads, pre-packaged namkeens, bhujia, mixtures, and utensils; agricultural equipment like drip irrigation systems, sprinklers, bio-pesticides, micronutrients, soil preparation machines, harvesting tools, tractors, and tractor tires; handicrafts and small industries like sewing machines and their parts and health and wellness like medical equipment and diagnostic kits.
While the 18% slab consists of a standard rate for most goods and services, including automobiles such as small cars and motorcycles (up to 350cc), consumer goods like electronic items, household goods, and some professional services, a uniform 18% rate applies to all auto parts.
Additionally, there is also a 40% slab for luxury and sin goods, including tobacco and pan Masala, products like cigarettes, bidis, and aerated sugary beverages and on luxury vehicles, high-end motorcycles above 350cc, yachts, and helicopters.
Moreover, some essential services and educational items are fully exempted from GST, including individual health, family floater and life insurance, no GST on health and life insurance premiums and education and healthcare, like certain services related to education and healthcare are GST-exempt. (ANI)