Nagaland BJP joins nationwide GST campaign

DIMAPUR — BJP Nagaland has joined the nationwide campaign to promote Next-Gen GST Reforms, which have lowered taxes and benefited citizens and businesses alike.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP office in Dimapur on Saturday, Akum Pongen, member secretary of the Next Gen GST Reforms, BJP Nagaland, highlighted the activities being undertaken as part of the nationwide GST reform campaign.

He informed that the Next Gen GST Reform Campaign, launched on September 22, will continue across the country until October 20, 2025. In alignment with this national initiative, the BJP Nagaland unit has also been actively carrying out the campaign across all districts in the state.

Pongen stated that district committees have been formed across Nagaland to ensure the campaign's success. These committees are educating the public on the benefits of GST reforms for common citizens, the middle class, businesses, traders, and MSMEs.

He also mentioned that BJP karyakartas (party workers) are reaching out to people at the grassroots level, spreading awareness about the positive impact of the new GST system.

Pongen shared that elected legislators, led by the deputy chief minister, have personally visited marketplaces to interact with shopkeepers and traders, gathering their feedback on the reforms, and added that they have received overwhelmingly positive responses.

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Highlighting the significance of the campaign’s timeline, Pongen stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described it as a Diwali bonus for the people, as the campaign will conclude on October 20, coinciding with the Diwali festival.

Additionally, he highlighted that the new GST reforms have reduced the tax rate from 28% to 18% for certain items, while products previously taxed at 18% are now under the 5% slab.

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The next-generation GST reform is a historic milestone, marking a decade of the Modi government's relentless efforts and visionary economic management, he said.

The main message is simple and powerful. GST rates are slashed across the board. GST rate cuts have been implemented on 99% of goods in the 12% bracket and 90% in the 28% bracket, the member secretary added.

Pongen went on to state that these Next-Gen GST Reforms represent a victory for cooperative federalism, achieved through the unanimous consensus of all states in the GST Council.

It also demonstrates how, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, states across India, regardless of party affiliation, can prioritize national interest over politics, he added.

Further, he highlighted the issue of tax devolution, noting that 50% of collected taxes are allocated to state governments by the central government.

He explained that many Naga people conduct business or purchase goods from other states, such as Assam, and the taxes on those goods go to the respective state governments, not Nagaland.

To address this, he urged citizens to prioritize buying locally available goods in Nagaland, which are taxed under the State GST, ensuring that the revenue benefits the state and often comes at a lower cost.

Therali Ezung, BJP Nagaland state secretary, highlighted the tax slab differences between the UPA and NDA eras, noting that the NDA government has consistently maintained lower tax rates.