PM Modi Address Updates: PM Emphasises Need For Swadeshi Push To Make Bharat Atmanirbhar

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said, "Today, the Prime Minister, while addressing the nation, tried to take full credit for the amendments made by the GST Council, which is a constitutional body."

AAP MP Sanjay Singh said, "Today, Prime Minister Modi was seeking praise in the name of GST. When GST was introduced in 2017, the people of the country were told that Prime Minister Modi had brought a major revolution in the economy... In the last 8 years, crores of rupees have been taken from the people of the country in the name of tax... I want to ask why the burden of tax was imposed on the people of the country for 8 years?..."

On PM Narendra Modi's speech announcing the implementation of GST reforms, CPI leader D Raja said, "GST was discussed in Parliament... It has many flaws... Finally, the government has agreed to some changes. Now the question is when will they reduce prices, especially on essential items... Prime Minister Modi makes many claims about the economy in the name of being the third-largest economy... Why is Prime Minister Modi not responding to Donald Trump's statements?... We will have to wait and see what happens..."

AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj slammed PM Mdi for not speaking about the fee hike for H1-B visas. He also took a swipe at addressing at 5:00 PM instead of 8:00 PM, when the PM mostly addresses the nation. 

PM Modi asked the states to create an environment for investment in the direction of making India 'Atmanirbhar'. He said, "I also urge all state governments to join this campaign of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and Swadeshi and to create an environment for investment by increasing production in their states...When the nation and states work together, the dream of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' will be fulfilled."

PM Modi in his address urged people to prioritise 'Made in India' products to make the country atmanirbhar (self-reliant). He said, "Today, knowingly or unknowingly, many foreign products have become a part of our everyday lives... We should buy products that are Made in India, in which the hard work of our country's youth is invested...We need to make every home a symbol of Swadeshi, adorn every shop with Swadeshi."

PM Narendra Modi called the income tax exemption on earnings up to Rs 12 lakh and GST rate rationalisation a 'double bonanza' for the poor, the neo-middle class, and the middle class.

PM Modi recalled the complex tax structure when he assumed the charge in 2014. He cited an incident published in a foreign newspaper.  

PM Narendra Modi said that with the dawn of Navratri, GST Bachat Utsav will start to benefit the people. "From tomorrow in the nation, 'GST Bachat Utsav' will commence. Your savings will increase and you will be able to buy your favourite things...'GST Bachat Utsav' will benefit all sections of the society..."

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh has posed questions to PM Narendra Modi ahead of his address to the nation. In a post on X, Ramesh said, "The Prime Minister is preparing to address the nation, while in Washington DC, his good friend has once again stolen his headlines by claiming for the 42nd time that he stopped Operation Sindoor by taking advantage of the growing trade with America. President Trump has made this claim not only in America but also in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Britain."

"Will the Prime Minister respond to these claims and speak on the continuously deteriorating India-US relations? Will they address the concerns of millions of Indian H1B holders? Will they give some assurance to those millions of farmers and workers whose livelihoods are at risk due to the tariffs imposed by their friend?" he added.

"Or will they just repeat the same thing we all know about the new GST rates - which were prepared in desperation and are coming into effect from tomorrow," Ramesh said.

Since assuming power, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made several addresses to the nation to announce major governmental decisions. These include the demonetisation address on November 8, 2016, where he announced the discontinuation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 currency notes. He also delivered an address to the nation after the Balakot airstrikes in 2019, and during the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation on the eve of Navratri at 5 PM. His address comes a day before the roll out of the GST 2.0.