Jammu: 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.
In a statement issued here on Saturday Khatana said that reforms following the 56th GST Council meeting, led by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman aim to simplify the tax structure to two main slabs of 5% and 18%, with a special 40% rate for luxury and de-merit goods. Khatana emphasized the particular importance of these reforms for Jammu & Kashmir, highlighting those local farmers, artisans, and small traders will directly benefit from reduced costs in agriculture, handicrafts, housing, transport, and tourism, thereby promoting inclusive growth across society. He also pointed out the social protection measures included in the reforms, such as full GST exemption on life and health insurance premiums and substantial cuts on medical devices, which enhance household security and make healthcare more accessible. Describing the reforms as “pro-people, pro-MSME, and pro-farmer,” Khatana asserted that they would strengthen the economy by broadening the tax base, simplifying compliance, and encouraging consumption.
