PM Modi speech highlights: Narendra Modi stresses on GST, ‘swadeshi’ push; Oppn says credit not all his to take

PM Modi speech live updates: “Whatever we can make in our country, we must,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his address to the nation on Sunday, September 21, doubling down on the “swadeshi” and “made in India” pitch amid tensions over trade and talent with the US.

He focused on higher savings due to income tax and GST reforms, and local production and consumption — tying it all into 'aatmanirbharta' or self-reliance — though not speaking directly about the massive US trade tariffs and the recent move by President Donald Trump to existentially hurt the H-1B visa regime that's used by high-skilled Indians to work in the US. Read more.

PM Modi speech live updates: The Rajasthan government has announced that it will observe a 'GST Savings Festival' from Sept 22 to 29 to spread awareness about the recent tax cuts, CM Bhajanlal Sharma said.

"This reform will make essential commodities more affordable, increase consumption, and benefit both consumers and businesses," Sharma said, according to PTI.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday claimed that the Centre was taking undue credit for lowering GST rates, though the state initiated the move.

Her statement came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation, said a “GST savings festival” will begin from the first day of ‘Navratri’ on Monday, which, coupled with the income tax exemption, will be a "double bonanza" for most people.

Without naming the Prime Minister, Bannerjee said, “We are losing ₹20,000 crore as revenue, but we are happy about the lowering of GST. But why are you (Modi) claiming credit for it? We had sought a lowered GST. It was our suggestion at the GST Council meeting with the Union Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman)."

Union minister Ramdas Athawale backed the swadeshi push made by PM Modi during his address to the nation.

"He has told the people of the country about 'Made in India'. Whatever goods people want to buy, they should buy Made in India goods, and not the goods that are made outside. If we resolve to make everything here, it will provide employment to crores of people, and the vision of a self-reliant India will be fulfilled... He has tried to shed light on many topics... We are going to win Bihar... Even if he hadn't decided on this, we would still have won (in the Bihar Elections)... PM Modi has taken this important decision at the right time... Opposition can say anything... The more they speak, the more it benefits us..."

Congress chief Malikarjun Kharge called PM Modi's GST reforms a ‘band aid’.
"Instead of the Congress's simple and efficient GST, your government imposed a "Gabbar Singh Tax" by collecting through separate 9 slabs and has collected more than ₹55 lakh crore in 8 years. Now, by talking about a ₹2.5 lakh crore "savings festival," you're trying to put a small Band-Aid on the deep wounds inflicted on the public! The public will never forget that you collected the highest GST on their dal-chawal-grain, pencils, books, treatment, farmers' tractors—everything. Your government should apologise to the public!" Kharge said.

On PM Narendra Modi's speech announcing the implementation of GST reforms, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya says, "... First, one nation one tax GST was implemented. Now, the GST budget festival has arrived. Now, the poor can also buy expensive things because they no longer have to pay the price they had to pay before...Prime Minister Modi has called for adopting Swadeshi... The Swadeshi movement was started by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi... This will lead to a self-reliant and developed India..."

UP Congress President Ajay Rai expressed disappointment with PM Modi's address to the nation, saying he should have also spoken on ‘vote theft’.
"PM Modi should also have spoken something on the way votes are being stolen and governments are being formed. This is very unfortunate," Rai told the media.

AAP's Saurabh Bharadwaj took a jibe at PM Narendra Modi's address to the nation, saying GST is ‘old news’.
"... It seemed like Prime Minister Modi would say something about increasing the fees charged by companies sponsoring H-1B applicants to $100,000 and imposing tariffs by US President Trump, but the GST news is very old. Prime Minister Modi used to address the nation at 8 PM, but today at 5 PM, perhaps because tonight at 8 PM there is the India vs Pakistan match... It seems like India's foreign policy is quite bad... Now there is an indifference in people's minds," he said.

After PM Modi's address to the nation on GST reforms, the BJP says Navratri is bringing a 'new dawn' in India.
"The Navratri starting from tomorrow is bringing a new dawn for India. The credit for this goes to Prime Minister Modi. Such a major tax reform in GST has happened for the first time. More than 400 items have been reduced from 12% and 18% to 5%... This will make things cheaper... I assure Prime Minister Modi that the country's traders will pass on every benefit to the consumers," BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal told ANI.

As PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation on GST reforms, TMC credited Mamata Banerjee for the same.

"GST rates were actually anti-people... Mamata Banerjee raised her voice against it. Then the entire nation rose up against it. The central government was forced to change the GST rates. Now they are trying to take credit for this, but why did you introduce such rates in the first place... Mamata Banerjee and AITC pointed out and forced them to bring changes, and so its credit goes to Mamata Banerjee," Kunal Ghosh said.

In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi called reform a continuous process.
"Reform is a continuous process. As times change and the country's needs change, next-generation reforms are equally necessary. These new GST reforms are being implemented, keeping in mind the country's current needs and future dreams..."

PM Narendra Modi's address ends with a push for Swadeshi goods.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a push for Indian goods. He also called on state governments to join the Swadeshi movement.
"I also urge all state governments to join this campaign of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and Swadeshi and to create an environment for investment by increasing production in their states...When the nation and states work together, the dream of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' will be fulfilled."

PM Modi said GST reforms to help MSMEs the most, recalled their role in India's ‘golden age’

The PM gave the mantra ‘Nagrik devo bhava’. He said that GST and income tax cuts will save the people 2.5 lakh crore rupees.
"...We are moving forward by following the mantra of 'Nagrik Devo Bhava' and we can see its reflection in the next generation's GST reforms. If we combine the income tax exemption and the GST exemption, the decisions made in one year will save the people of the country more than ₹2.5 lakh crore and that's why I say, this is a savings festival"

PM Modi said that the poor, the neo middle class, are getting a double bonanza after the GST rate cuts.

PM Narendra Modi says 99% goods now fall under 5% tax slab

PM says only having 5% and 18% slabs will help common goods get cheaper

PM Narendra Modi says GST has been made a priority for the public good

PM Narendra Modi, in address to nation, announces 'GST Utsav' from tomorrow

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation has begun.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation will begin shortly.

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address to the nation, AAP leader Durgesh Pathak took a swipe at him.

“Whenever the PM addresses the nation, every citizen feels scared. At this time, the economy and inflation are at their peak and with folded hands, we will make a humble request: Let us live as we are being made to live,” he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address will come at a time when India's ties with the US have become frosty in the past few months due to Washington's 50 per cent tariffs, including an additional 25 per cent levy, on New Delhi over its purchase of Russian oil. It also comes just a day after Donald Trump hiked the H1B visa fees to a staggering $100,000.