Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation at the Central Hall of Parliament ahead of the GST launch at midnight.
Here are highlights from the PM’s speech:
1) GST is result of combined efforts of all political parties
2) GST is a result of a long thinking; all states along with Centre discussed for years
3) GST an example of cooperative federalism
4) GST is economic integration of India just like what Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had done decades back to integrate the country
5) GST is transparent and fair system that prevents black money and corruption and promotes new governance culture
6) GST has potential to end harassment at hands of officers; hopes traders will transfer its benefits to consumers
7) GST is a good and simple tax regime that will eliminate the compounding effects of multi-layered tax system
8) Albert Einstein had once said that if there is one thing that is most difficult to understand, it is income tax. I wonder what he would have said had he seen our tax system
Photograph: Kind courtesy, PIB
