Shillong, September 5: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Meghalaya has welcomed the latest reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) system, describing them as a “big relief” for citizens across the country.
Addressing a press conference, BJP Meghalaya State General Secretary Wankitbok Pohshna said the reforms, steered by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have simplified the tax structure by reducing multiple slabs to just two — 5% and 18%.
According to Pohshna, the changes have eased the tax burden on essential goods, including food items, daily household products, and life-saving medicines.
Essential food items: GST reduced from 5% to 0%
Cancer and other life-saving medicines: Tax reduced to 5%
Daily household essentials: GST rates lowered
“The NDA government under Prime Minister Modi has shown its clear commitment to support the poor, small traders, and the general public. This is a major step that benefits farmers, traders, and families, while also strengthening small enterprises and ensuring better Centre-State coordination,” Pohshna said.
He noted that the GST Council is not just a central government body but a cooperative platform between the Centre and states. He emphasized that the current reforms are the outcome of years of deliberation and consensus-building, calling their implementation a “major milestone.”
Pohshna also urged citizens to play their part in ensuring transparency. “The government cannot act as a Superman. Citizens too have a role in monitoring and ensuring accountability by always asking for bills during purchases, especially medicines,” he remarked.
On Centre–State relations, Pohshna said coordination between the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government and the Centre has been smooth, with states receiving their fair share of revenues. However, he cautioned that GST reforms are a continuous process, requiring time and adjustments to become fully effective.
He concluded by stressing that cooperation between the GST Council and all states will be key to resolving remaining challenges and making GST more people-friendly.
