Union Minister Piyush Goyal affirmed on Friday that the Centre will closely monitor to ensure consumers fully benefit from GST rationalization, with industry committing to reflect tax reductions in prices. The GST Council's reforms, effective September 22 (coinciding with Navratra), will standardize rates at 5% or 18% for most products (excluding sin goods) and zero-rate essentials, promising widespread price drops.

At a BJP press conference, Goyal dismissed claims that US-imposed 50% tariffs influenced the decision, attributing it to nearly a year's consultations among central and state officials. "This has no link to any country's decision; such changes don't happen overnight," he said, urging states to aid monitoring.

Countering opposition barbs over "delayed" reforms, Goyal slammed Congress for failing to implement GST during 2004-14, accusing them of prioritizing "corruption" over progress. He alleged Congress governments in Karnataka and Telangana obstructed the September 3 GST Council meeting—chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman—to avoid "exposing" their party, though consensus was achieved.

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Goyal mocked Rahul Gandhi as a "failed rocket" with inconsistent views, irrelevant to the public. He stressed government decisions aren't election-driven, recounting PM Narendra Modi's reprimand for linking an investment announcement to polls in an unnamed state (amid Bihar's upcoming elections); the BJP won, and the project proceeded post-polls.

Hailing the changes as historic, Goyal said they slash taxes on all products compared to the UPA's complex regime, benefiting consumers and industries across society. This marks India's most comprehensive indirect tax overhaul since Independence, fostering simplicity and growth. 

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