 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 6: Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Gulam Ali Khatana on Friday welcomed the Next-Generation GST reforms, calling them a "historic and people-centric decision" that would ease the financial burden on families, empower farmers, and provide a strong push to small businesses and manufacturing. Khatana said the reforms, cleared at the 56th meeting of the GST Council chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, simplify the tax structure to just two slabs of 5% and 18%, with a special 40% rate for luxury and de-merit goods. The new rates will be implemented from September 22, 2025, a move he described as "timely relief ahead of the festive season."
"The announcement under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman ji is a direct relief to the common man," Khatana asserted. "Everyday essentials like soaps, toothpaste, packaged food items and bicycles will now fall in the 5% bracket, while life-saving drugs have been reduced to nil or 5%. Cement, small cars, two-wheelers, ACs and televisions have been brought down to 18%, making them more affordable for middle-class families. Farm machinery and irrigation equipment, so vital to our farmers, have been cut to 5%, significantly lowering farming costs."
The MP emphasised that the reforms carry special significance for Jammu & Kashmir. "Our farmers, orchardists, artisans and small traders will directly benefit. Cheaper inputs for agriculture and handicrafts, reduced costs for the housing sector, and relief for transport and tourism will boost local livelihoods. This is inclusive growth reaching every section of society," he said.
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