Gujarat CM Urges Industries to Back GST Reforms, Vocal for Local Campaign

Gandhinagar | Gujarat — The Chief Minister addressed a video conference from Gandhinagar with the state’s industrial and business organizations and leading industrialists regarding GST reforms and the ‘Vocal for Local – Swadeshi’ campaign.

In this video conference, Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai, Industry Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, Ministers of State Harsh Sanghavi and Jagdish Vishwakarma, along with around 225 industrial organisations and over 3,500 businessmen from across the state participated.

The Chief Minister stated that in the current global scenario, the Prime Minister has adopted the path of self-reliance with a forward-looking vision. For this, he has implemented GST reforms focusing on indigenous products. Not only that, but he has also reduced the tax slabs. If we all work together to pass on the benefits of this GST reduction to the people, the savings festival envisioned by the Prime Minister will be realized in its true sense.

The Chief Minister urged the state’s industry and businessmen to accelerate local production so that the goods and products made by the hard work and efforts of our own country’s youth and artisans get a market, and the Prime Minister’s objective of Vocal for Local is fulfiled. A country like India needs to become self-reliant for economic development. Our local demand is very high, and due to this strong aspect, there is also scope for more manufacturing in India.

In this context, he highlighted that mobile phone exports, which stood at USD 0.2 billion in 2014-15, surged to USD 15.6 billion in 2023-24. Exports of engineering goods reached USD 109.32 billion in 2023-24. Even in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, India is now steadily moving towards self-reliance.

He added that with a national spirit and a readiness to do whatever is necessary to achieve the Prime Minister’s resolve for Atmanirbhar Bharat, the government is prioritising a reduction in imports and an increase in exports. The Chief Minister expressed confidence that Gujarat, like with all other calls, will enthusiastically embrace the Prime Minister’s call for Viksit Bharat 2047 and take the lead for Viksit Bharat – Aatmnirbhar Bharat, the cooperation of industry-trade associations.

Industry Minister Balvantsinh Rajput said initial GST revenue has now increased to 22.8 lakh crore. He stated that as a result of this simplification, along with an increase in GST revenue, the GDP growth rate will also rise in the coming days, and the sale of indigenous goods will also increase, fulfilling Prime Minister  Narendra Modi’s resolve for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Minister of State for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Jagdish Vishwakarma, clarified the objective of this video conference, stating that as the state government is moving forward with a proactive approach towards trade and industries, suggestions from the industry and trade sector on important topics like GST Reforms, Vocal for Local, and the Swadeshi campaign are also welcome. He expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel for the inspiration behind organizing this video conference.