NEW DELHI: The rationalisation of GST slabs, now being termed as the NextGen GST reforms by the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre, is set to receive a massive nationwide promotion by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. The move is aimed at informing the public about its anticipated positive impact on the economy.
As part of a carefully planned strategy, the BJP is preparing to launch an extensive outreach campaign in the next few days to inform people about the financial advantages of the reformed GST, which are scheduled to take effect from September 22 following their implementation by the Modi government.
With a vast network of workers across the country, the BJP has outlined a comprehensive outreach programme focused on informing citizens, including traders, about the latest GST reforms introduced by the Modi government as a historic economic move that aims to benefit the common people.
The GST Council has approved a rate overhaul for all items, except those which fall under the ‘sin and luxury category’, by reducing the GST slabs to 5% and 18% from their earlier GST slabs. The reductions will become effective from September 22 – the first day of Navaratri.
Speaking to this newspaper on Saturday, BJP Lok Sabha MP and party’s chief spokesperson Anil Baluni shared some preliminary information on this upcoming BJP outreach on NextGen GST reforms. He said that a detailed and structured plan has been drawn up to take the benefits of the GST reforms to people across the nation.
“The party has decided to mobilise its entire organisational structure — from block, district units to the state level — to communicate the benefits of the GST changes to the public during this outreach initiative,” he said.
“We will also interact with various traders’ organisations on GST reforms and its benefits to them as part of outreach,” he added. He further said that the BJP also plans to conduct ‘choupals’ in every district as part of its outreach efforts to explain the GST reforms to the public.
Besides, he said that there are also plans to organise dedicated programmes for traders to inform them about the simplified GST and the benefits emerging from the reforms. The party would hold programmes on GST reforms on a large scale nationwide.
As part of this outreach, he added that senior BJP leaders and Union ministers, along with national spokespersons and general secretaries, would be conducting media briefings in every state. However, the date for launching this outreach initiative is yet to be finalised.
“The moment common people will get the details of NextGen GST reforms’ benefits, they would not be cheated while purchasing the essential items on which the GST slabs have been rationalised to a great extent,” he remarked, adding that the Modi government’s decision is aimed at improving the economic conditions of the common, poor, and middle-class segments of society.
The BJP is learnt to have also directed all its units across states and districts to inform and educate the public on the GST reforms through various communicative activities, extending even into remote and rural areas of all states and Union Territories.