New Delhi: Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, said on Friday that the Modi government will ensure consumers benefit fully from the GST rationalisation reforms.
At a press briefing at the BJP headquarters, Goyal stressed that the Centre will closely monitor the rollout. “The industry has assured us that tax cuts will reflect in product prices,” he said.
No Link to US Tariff Hike
Goyal rejected claims that the reforms were a reaction to the US imposing a 50% tariff on Indian goods. He explained that the GST rationalisation was the outcome of nearly a year of consultations with state and central finance ministers and senior officials.
“This decision has no link to any country’s policy. Such a big change cannot happen overnight,” he said, pointing out that the US announcement came only last month.
Appeal to States
The minister urged state governments to also ensure that the benefits of GST cuts reach consumers. He dismissed opposition criticism of “delayed reforms” as baseless.
Goyal accused Congress of failing to implement GST during 2004–14, claiming they focused instead on corruption. He also alleged that Congress-led governments in Karnataka and Telangana tried to obstruct the GST Council meeting on September 3.
Political Remarks
Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, Goyal said he is “like a rocket that never takes off.” He added, “He himself does not know what he said earlier and what he is saying now. People are not affected by his remarks.”
Goyal also clarified that government decisions are not influenced by elections. He recalled that Prime Minister Modi once stopped him from announcing an investment project in a poll-bound state until after voting, proving the government’s apolitical stance.