"Poor and middle class will greatly benefit": Consumers in UP hail GST reforms

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh) [India], September 22 (ANI): People on Monday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) slab implementation came into effect for several goods and items, emphasising that the move would "greatly benefit" the poor and middle class.
In Uttar Pradesh's Ayodhya, consumers welcomed the government's decision to reduce GST slabs. They said the decision had shown the government's commitment to supporting the common people while also boosting sectors like automobiles and healthcare.
One of the consumers stated that reducing the GST slabs would lower the prices of essential goods, medicines, and automobiles.
While speaking to ANI, Alok Kumar Shrivastav said, "With the reduction of GST slabs, the poor and middle class will greatly benefit. Prices of all milk products have reduced... Automobiles will also be available at reduced prices. I thank PM Narendra Modi for this."
Another consumer, Narsingh Pathak, highlighted how the reforms would help the automobile sector.
"It is a very good decision. It is good for the automobile sector also. Those who had to pay upto Rs 1 lakh in tax to buy small cars, will greatly benefit as they will be able to save upto Rs 80000. People will be able to buy small cars. The price of motorcycles will also reduce by around Rs 35000... Diabetes and cancer medicines will also become cheaper," Narsingh Pathak told ANI.

A day earlier, addressing the nation via video conferencing, the Prime Minister said that the government's recent reduction in GST rates will ease financial burdens on citizens, making houses, vehicles, and consumer goods more affordable.
He said that reduced GST rates will ease costs on essentials like homes, vehicles, and household items, marking the launch of a nationwide 'GST Bachat Utsav'. He called the reforms a major step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat and inclusive growth.
The Prime Minister underscored that "with lower GST rates, fulfilling personal dreams will become easier for citizens--whether it's building a house, purchasing a TV or refrigerator, or buying a scooter, bike, or car--all will now cost less."He added that travel will also become more affordable, as GST on most hotel rooms has been reduced.
PM Modi expressed happiness over the enthusiastic response of shopkeepers towards the GST reforms. He noted that "they are actively working to pass on the benefits of GST reductions to customers."
Meanwhile, the reform in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure was approved during the 56th meeting of the GST Council earlier this month.
The current four-rate system will now be replaced with a streamlined two-slab regime of 5 per cent and 18 per cent. A separate 40 per cent slab has been retained for luxury and sin goods.
This new framework is expected to ease compliance, reduce consumer prices, boost manufacturing, and support a wide range of industries, from agriculture to automobiles and from FMCG to renewable energy, and is intended to lower the cost of living, strengthen MSMEs, widen the tax base, and drive inclusive growth. (ANI)