GST Bachat Utsav: Rate Cuts Making Daily Living More Affordable
Key Points:
- Overview of the Initiative:
- The GST Bachat Utsav was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and commenced on September 22, 2025.
- It aims to provide relief to consumers and businesses through reduction in GST rates on essential goods and services.
- The initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to make daily living more affordable and stimulate economic activity.
- Impact on Delhi’s Business Community:
- The reform has brought significant benefits to traders, service providers, and small manufacturers in Delhi.
- Lower tax rates have improved ease of doing business, especially in sectors like automobiles, spare parts, hospitality, and tourism.
- Benefits to Automobile and Spare Parts Sector:
- The GST on auto parts has been reduced from 28% to 18%.
- This has lowered maintenance and repair costs for vehicle owners.
- It has also improved profit margins for auto parts dealers in areas such as Karol Bagh and Kashmere Gate, major automobile hubs in Delhi.
- Relief for Hospitality and Tourism Sector:
- Hotel rooms priced below ₹7,500 per night now attract 5% GST, down from 12% earlier.
- This reduction is expected to boost tourism, increase hotel occupancy, and create more jobs in the hospitality sector.
- The timing aligns with the festive season, offering immediate consumer benefits and promoting local tourism.
- Broader Economic Significance:
- The GST rate cuts are designed to boost consumption, enhance affordability, and stimulate domestic demand.
- The initiative is expected to have long-term benefits by fostering market growth, improving business sentiment, and increasing employment opportunities.
Static Data for Revision:
- Full Form: GST – Goods and Services Tax
- Implemented on: July 1, 2017
- Constitutional Basis: Article 279A – GST Council
- Chairperson of GST Council: Union Finance Minister
- GST Council Composition: Union Finance Minister (Chairperson), Minister of State for Finance, and State Finance Ministers
Updated - October 16, 2025 10:11 AM | News On Air