PM’s Diwali Gift Delivered: Sitharaman Highlights Gains For Common Man After GST Reforms

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented a report card on the impact of GST reforms, highlighting how Indians directly benefited from tax rate cuts, reported India Today.

Speaking at a press conference with Union ministers Piyush Goyal and Ashwini Vaishnaw ahead of Diwali, she said the GST reductions spurred strong sales in vehicles and electronics.

“The government was closely monitoring 54 daily use items. We found that in every one of them, the tax benefit due to the GST reforms has been passed to the end consumer. The Prime Minister's Diwali gift has been delivered,” Sitharaman said.

She added, “In some cases, businesses passed on higher than expected GST rate cuts to consumers.”

The government had recently overhauled the GST regime, reducing rates sharply on food, daily essentials, and consumer durables such as TVs and refrigerators. The reforms took effect on 22 September, the start of Navratri, amid global trade turbulence triggered by US tariffs.

Sitharaman highlighted the immediate impact on consumption.

“Three-wheeler dispatches rose 5.5 per cent year-on-year, while two-wheeler sales reached 21.6 lakh units. Passenger vehicle dispatches alone stood at 3.72 lakh in September. Hero Motors recorded its highest ever monthly sales in September.”

She noted that AC sales doubled on the first day of reforms, while TV sales jumped 30–35 per cent.

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal added that Maruti Suzuki sold 1.65 lakh cars in the first eight days.

"Mahindra's sales increased by 60 per cent, and Tata sold over 50,000 vehicles. The electronics sector has also broken all records," he added.

IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw projected an additional Rs 20 lakh crore in electronics consumption this year, underscoring a 25 per cent rise in sales and noting that lower food prices are boosting manufacturing.

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