In a historic moment for Indian economy, the much-awatited India's biggest tax reform, Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been rolled out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament's historic Central Hall, in the presence of President Pranab Mukherjee.
The GST, which was slated to roll out on the midnight today, will bring the Indian economy under a single tax bracket.
Addressing the Central Hall of Parliament ahead of the midnight GST rollout, Prime Minister Modi said the scope of the GST is unlimited to financial system, now India will move in a new direction.
"It is not a success of any party or any government. It is the result of everyone's effort. The scope of the GST is unlimited to financial system. Now, India will move in a new direction. With the launch of the GST, we are ensuring the progress of the country. The launch of the GST is not the achievement of a particular party or a particular government; it's a collective achievement," Prime Minister Modi said.
Asserting that the GST is an example of strength of 'Team India', Prime Minister Modi said it is setting India's roadmap as it is becoming a reality tonight.
"I welcome you all to this launch ceremony. I express my gratitude. "Central Hall was always the most sacred place to launch the GST. The GST is a system that will allow states and the centre to work together towards a new India. And GST will be an important aspect of a new India," he added.
Congratulating the GST council and all those who took the tax reform forward, Prime Minister Modi said whoever forms the future governments, they will abide by the pro-poor principal of the GST.
"On November 1949, it was this place, where the Constitution was adopted. And now, we have gathered again at this sacred place for GST rollout. There could not have been a more sacred place," he said.
Highlights of historic launch of GST:
Everything has been taken care of. GST council will come together again whenever it will be required: Santosh Gangwar, MoS Finance pic.twitter.com/kXiRUnTUfb
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
Will see in coming days tax compliance, tax collection will improve, common man's problem in paying tax wl be gone completely: S Prabhu #GST pic.twitter.com/cORxlCch7C
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
* GST is a disruptive change no doubt. It is similar to introduction of the VAT, when there was initial resistance: President Mukherjee
People celebrate launch of #GST in UP's Lucknow. #gstrollout pic.twitter.com/VK0m60g0LC
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
* GST is not only a tax reform but also a step towards economic reform, towards social reform: PM Narendra Modi
#GST formally launched in Parliament by PM Modi and President Mukherjee. pic.twitter.com/BcGOG7gflS
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
* This historic moment is the culmination of 14 year long journey which began in December, 2002: President Pranab Mukherjee on GST
Ye bhi sanyog hai ki Geeta ke bhi 18 adhyaay thay aur #GST Council ki bhi 18 meetings hui: PM Narendra Modi #gstrollout pic.twitter.com/j7kDezPGNC
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
* Unanimous support&consensus based work of GST Council highlights India can rise above politics&speak in one voice for national interest: FM
#GST co-operative federalism ki ek misaal hai jo humen hamesha hamesha aur adhik saath mil kar chalne ki taqat degi: PM Modi #gstrollout pic.twitter.com/tIcqg2LpRD
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
Aaj ek nayi arth vyavastha ke liye, #GST ke roop mein iss pavitra sthaan se badh ke koi aur sthaan nahi ho sakta hai: PM Modi #gstrollout
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
Ye jo disha hum sabne nirdhaarit ki hai, kisi ek dal/sarkar ki siddhi nahi hai, ye hum sabki saanjhi viraasat hai: PM Narendra Modi #GST pic.twitter.com/cgOQq67XTB
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
Aaj iss madhya raatri ke samay hum sab mil karke desh ka aage ka marg sunishchit karne ja rahe hain: PM Modi #GST pic.twitter.com/DgtxOIqfaZ
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
* The old India was economically fragmented, the new India will create one tax, one market and for one nation: FM Arun Jaitley #GST
* FM Jailtley at GST launch: " GST Council met 18 times, and there was never any need for voting, because of the unanimity"
* GST sees centre and state pool their sovereignty: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley
PM @narendramodi at the launch of Goods & Service Tax (GST) in the Central Hall of Parliament. #GSTForNewIndia https://t.co/rL7ZpTjVFu
— BJP (@BJP4India) June 30, 2017
* GST is an important achievement for the whole country: FM Arun Jaitley
Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee, PM Narendra Modi, VP Hamid Ansari, FM Arun Jaitley, LS Speaker Sumitra Mahajan at Parliament. #GST pic.twitter.com/b1ZQp3fD52
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
Delhi: President Pranab Mukherjee arrives at Parliament for #GST launch #gstrollout pic.twitter.com/glVBAkr76a
— ANI (@ANI_news) June 30, 2017
Here's a short clip explaining Goods & Services Tax in a simplified manner #GSTforNewIndia https://t.co/HlQF7Wn5es pic.twitter.com/rmWaHaj7QM
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) June 30, 2017