Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his support for the recently implemented GST reforms, congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the initiative. Naidu took to social media to welcome the revisions in GST slabs, particularly concerning essential goods, education, healthcare, and agriculture. He emphasized that these changes represent a pro-poor, growth-oriented decision, poised to benefit all segments of society, from farmers to businesses. The reforms, as highlighted by the Prime Minister on Independence Day, are seen as a strategic advancement of the tax framework, aimed at enhancing the quality of life for every Indian. The GST Council’s recent approvals have led to significant rate cuts across various sectors, described by the government as a positive step for the nation. Notably, everyday household items such as hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste, and soap will now be taxed at 5%, down from 18%. Similarly, items like butter, ghee, cheese, and pre-packaged snacks have seen their GST rate reduced from 12% to 5%. Utensils, feeding bottles, and baby diapers have also become more affordable. The agriculture sector is set to gain substantially, with tractor parts and tractors themselves now subject to lower GST rates. Further reductions have been applied to bio-pesticides, micro-nutrients, and irrigation systems.
