GST Reforms Hailed as ‘Double Bonanza’ for Citizens; PM Criticizes Past Neglect of Northeast
ITANAGAR — Prime Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for a series of development projects worth over ₹5,100 crore in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. Addressing a large gathering, the Prime Minister extended his reverence to the Almighty Donyi Polo and praised the state’s vibrant patriotism, calling it the “land of the rising sun” and a symbol of national spirit.
The Prime Minister highlighted that his visit was special for three reasons: the start of Navratri, the nationwide implementation of NextGen GST reforms, and the launch of these crucial development projects. He dubbed the GST changes as a “GST Savings Festival,” offering a “double bonanza” for citizens during the festive season. The new reforms have simplified GST to two main slabs, 5% and 18%, significantly reducing taxes on a wide range of essential goods, from household items to healthcare products.
While acknowledging Arunachal Pradesh’s immense potential, PM Modi criticized previous governments for neglecting the state due to its small population and limited political representation. He stated that this mindset caused significant harm to the entire Northeast, which was left far behind in the development journey.
“Those who governed from Delhi in earlier times consistently neglected Arunachal. They thought that with a small population and only two Lok Sabha seats, the state did not warrant attention. This approach caused significant harm to Arunachal and the entire Northeast,” the Prime Minister said.
He reaffirmed his government’s guiding principle of “Nation First” and “Nagarik Devobhava” (The citizen is God), stating that the focus is on serving every citizen, regardless of their location or political influence. He noted that since 2014, the government has increased the budget for the Northeast manifold, with central ministers making over 800 visits to the region.
The Prime Minister pointed out that under the previous regime, Arunachal Pradesh received only ₹6,000 crore from central taxes over ten years. In stark contrast, his government has allocated over ₹1 lakh crore to the state during the same period—a 16-fold increase.
The new projects launched today span multiple sectors, including:
Hydroelectric Power: Foundation stones for two major hydropower projects, the 240 MW Heo Hydro Electric Project and the 186 MW Tato-I Hydro Electric Project, worth over ₹3,700 crore. These projects will harness the region’s potential, create jobs, and contribute to India’s target of 500 GW of non-conventional energy by 2030.
Connectivity & Tourism: A new state-of-the-art convention center at Tawang, located at over 9,820 feet, and new infrastructure at Hollongi Airport, which now offers direct flights to Delhi. The Prime Minister also highlighted the success of the “Vibrant Villages Programme,” which has transformed over 450 border villages in Arunachal Pradesh into new tourism hubs.
Health & Social Infrastructure: A new cancer institute, medical colleges, and working women’s hostels, along with other projects worth over ₹1,290 crore.
PM Modi concluded his address by urging citizens to adopt the “Swadeshi” mantra by using only products made in India, reinforcing his government’s vision of a self-reliant and developed nation by 2047.
