GST Launch: Arun Jaitley Channels Jawaharlal Nehru in Historic GST Speech

New Delhi: In a speech that mirrored Jawaharlal Nehru’s ‘Tryst With Destiny’ speech when India gained Independence, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley thanked political parties across the board for their “unanimous support” in making the Goods and Services Tax (GST) a reality.

“We have all assembled here today for an important moment in the journey of our great nation. We are in the process of making history with the launch of the Goods and Services Tax. At the midnight hour, we will be launching one of India’s biggest and most ambitious tax and economic reforms in history," the Finance Minister said.

Jaitley said the GST may be a destination tax, but for India it will begin altogether a new journey. "It’s a journey where India wills awake to limitless possibilities to expand its economic horizons and lofty political ambitions,” Jaitely said in the Central Hall of Parliament.

Lauding the “unanimity of support” for the Constitutional amendment that brought in GST, he said, “The consensus shows that India can rise above politics in the interest of the nation. This is a high point for Indian politics when the world is witnessing slow growth.”

“The GST Council met 18 times and some meetings lasted for the entire day. Yet, every decision was unanimous, despite all parties being present. The taxes for 1,211 commodities were decided. We maintained the two principles of not wanting to burden the poor and maintaining revenue neutrality,” the FM said.

The Finance Minister hailed the GST and said it would ensure “single flow of goods and services” across the country by replacing 17 indirect taxes.

While appreciating the efforts of the opposition, Jaitely reserved a special mention for veteran communist and former West Bengal Finance Minister Dr. Asim Dasgupta. “The first head of the Empowered Committee (of State Finance Ministers) is present amongst us today. For carried out the great task of building consensus in the country. I personally must thank him because my first lesson on GST came from him during a meeting.”