- By News Desk
- Tue, 30 Sep 2025 07:43 PM (IST)
- Source:Vishvas News
Following the implementation of GST 2.0, two video collages of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are being shared on various social media platforms. The videos claim that Modi, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, had allegedly opposed the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA)'s decision to implement the Goods and Services Tax (GST), while now, as Prime Minister, he is promoting its benefits.
Vishvas News investigated and found this claim to be fake. The viral video, claiming that Modi opposed GST as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, is incomplete and edited. In his original statement, Modi had said that GST could not succeed without a proper IT infrastructure in the country. The viral video clip omits this crucial reference to the IT network, falsely implying that he was against GST.
What is viral?
Social media user Seema Jain shared the viral video, with the caption, "Paltu Ram... GST can never be successful before coming to power... After coming to power, implement GST and show the benefits for the country. Now they are congratulating the public on the reduction in GST."
Users across several other social media platforms have shared this video with similar claims.
Investigation
The viral post features two different video clips of Narendra Modi. In the first clip, he is heard saying, "As far as GST is concerned, GST can never be successful."
Following this, a second video plays in which Modi is heard saying, "When GST was implemented 8 years ago, a dream of many decades came true. It was one of the biggest economic reforms of independent India."
The video is being shared to suggest that Modi opposed GST as Gujarat’s Chief Minister, but later supported it after becoming the PM.
We searched for Modi’s original statement on GST from his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister and found a 14-year-old video on his official YouTube channel.
In this, Narendra Modi can be heard saying, "...As far as economic reforms are concerned, GST is concerned, the attitude of the Bharatiya Janata Party and Gujarat has been very clear from the beginning. A year ago, I had a meeting with Shri Pranab Mukherjee, the Finance Minister of India, in Gujarat, and I told him that unless you set up an IT network, GST can never be successful. And he accepted my point, and in my presence, he informed his Principal Secretary to form a task force and immediately arrange for IT backup. Only then can GST be successful."
We found other reports citing Modi's statement in a similar context. According to an ET report dated June 30, 2017, "Hours before the GST is set to be implemented, the Congress party today tweeted old videos of Narendra Modi saying that ‘GST can never succeed’ and that its implementation is ‘impossible’ without the necessary infrastructure."
Our investigation indicates that Modi opposed the decision to implement GST without adequate IT infrastructure. It's noteworthy that GST was implemented nationwide on July 1, 2017.
Subsequently, GST 2.0 (which comprehensively reformed the tax slabs) came into effect on September 22, 2025, representing the biggest change from the original GST implemented in 2017. GST 2.0 reduces the tax slabs from four to two, and imposes a 40% tax on luxury goods. Furthermore, personal health and life insurance policies have been excluded from the scope of GST.
Following the rollout of GST 2.0, PM Modi addressed the nation, highlighting the benefits and impact of this comprehensive reform. The government's decision to revamp GST came amid trade tensions between India and the United States (US).
To verify further, we contacted Business Standard's Deputy News Editor Neelkamal Sundaram, who confirmed that Modi's statement in the video is old and edited.
The Facebook user who shared the viral video with the false claim has around 7000 followers.
Fact-check reports on other viral claims related to business and the economy can be found in the Vishvas News Business section, and related explainer videos can be found on the Vishvas News YouTube channel.
Conclusion: The viral video claiming that Narendra Modi opposed GST as Gujarat’s Chief Minister is incomplete and edited. In his original statement, Modi stated that GST could not be successfully implemented without a proper IT infrastructure in the country. The viral clip omits this reference, making it appear that Modi opposed GST during his tenure as Gujarat’s Chief Minister.