Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday appealed to people to embrace Swadeshi products, stressing that they are for the benefit of citizens. BJP National President JP Nadda and the Chief Minister along with her ministers Ashish Sood and Kapil Mishra, participated in the ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ (GST Savings Festival) at various locations.
They interacted with traders, shopkeepers and consumers to assess the mood of the people over the GST reforms that came into effect on Monday.
The Chief Minister visited the Totaram Bazar in Tri Nagar, a major marketplace in North Delhi’s Trinagar, alongside traders, shopkeepers, and consumers and interacted with traders over the GST reforms.
Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra visited Bhajanpura Market as part of his “Dhanyawad Yatra” along with local MLA Ajai Mahavar while Education Minister Ashish Sood visited Ekta Market, Shukr Bazaar, Mahavir Enclave Part-3 in Janakpuri Assembly constituency to inform and educate the traders and local citizens about GST reform. Nadda, along with Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, met shopkeepers in Amar Colony, New Delhi and discussed the reform over tea.
Delhi’s Health, Transport and IT Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh visited Tilangpur Kotla Vihar Phase-2 Market in the Vikaspuri Assembly constituency.
BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and local MLA Chandan Chaudhary visited Sangam Vihar Market to inform shopkeepers about the benefits of the GST reduction and presented them with flowers.
Accompanied by Chandni Chowk MP Praveen Khandelwal, the Chief Minister was welcomed by shopkeepers with chants of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” and “Jai Shri Ram”, along with sweets and roses.
With prices of hundreds of essential and everyday items reduced, markets are buzzing with excitement. Smiles are evident on the faces of consumers and shopkeepers alike. The Chief Minister also placed posters across each shop promoting the message
“Make Every Home Swadeshi” and appealed to the public to embrace domestic products. She emphasised that this call for swadeshi is for the benefit of the citizens, who have welcomed the initiative with joy.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a gift to the people. Diwali has arrived early for traders. People should buy swadeshi goods for the country’s growth,” she said. The chief minister was showered with flower petals during her visit. She highlighted that the direct benefits of NextGen GST are reaching every citizen. Housewives, traders, consumers, and the general public alike are satisfied. The Chief Minister further stated that these reforms will empower the poor, youth, farmers, women, traders, and MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), thereby strengthening the resolve for a self-reliant India.
Additionally, she announced that long-pending GST refunds for traders will be promptly released, providing immediate relief.
She described this as a historic gift from the Prime Minister to the nation ahead of Diwali. The Chief Minister noted that decisions such as zero GST on health and life insurance, and a capped 18 per cent GST rate on vehicles will directly benefit 140 crore citizens.
Nadda, along with Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva, met shopkeepers in Amar Colony, New Delhi, and discussed the reform over tea.
Present on the occasion were BJP National Media Head and Member of Parliament Anil Baluni, local MLA Neeraj Basoya, municipal councillors Sharad Kapoor and Rajpal, New Delhi District BJP President Ravindra Chaudhary, BJP spokespersons Zafar Islam and Yasir Jilani, along with other party workers and shopkeepers.
Delhi Development Minister Kapil Mishra also visited Bhajanpura Market as part of his “Dhanyawad Yatra” along with local MLA Ajai Mahavar. Calling it a “festival-like situation” across markets, Mishra said, “We will spread the message of Swadeshi to every home and make the nation self-reliant.”
Mishra said “For the first time in the history of our nation, taxes have been reduced on such a large number of goods.”
Making this assertion while participating in a ‘Thanksgiving Yatra’ on Monday to express gratitude for the historic GST relief, he also said “Until now, we had only witnessed tax hikes, but today, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has set a historic example by reducing taxes on hundreds of items.
This decision is not only historic but will also prove to be a game-changer for India’s economy in the coming times.”
He further said, “Receiving this relief on the very first day of Navratri is a big gift for the citizens.
During the upcoming festive season of Vijayadashami, Diwali, and Chhath Puja, this step will give new energy to the economy. A large portion of India’s economic activity is driven by these festive months, and such a major decision at this time will also strengthen India’s position at the global level.”
Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood led a yatra in Ekta Market, Shukr Bazaar, Mahavir Enclave Part-3, Janakpuri Assembly constituency to inform and educate the traders and local citizens about the GST reforms. During the yatra the Education Minister personally visited shops, interacted with traders, and explained in detail how the new reforms will benefit not just traders but also consumers.
Earlier this month, the GST Council, comprising the Centre and states, decided to reduce rates on goods and services from September 22, the first day of Navratri.
