GST Replaced 'Inspector Raj'& Introduced Cooperative Governance: Narendra Modi

Emphasizing on the role of IT on overall governance, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that information technology has replaced the 'Inspector Raj' under the Goods and Services Tax (GST), as he termed the first year of the indirect tax regime as a "victory of integrity, celebration of honesty and a symbol of cooperative federalism".

In the 45th edition of his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat', the Prime Minister said, "It's been a year when GST was implemented. 'One Nation, One Tax' was the dream of the people of this country that has become a reality today. If I've to give credit to anyone for successful implementation of ‘One Nation One Tax reform’, then I credit the states of our nation."

"GST is a great example of Cooperative federalism, where all the states decided to take a unanimous decision in the interest of the nation, and then such a huge tax reform could be implemented in the country. So far, there have been 27 meetings of the GST Council and we can all feel proud that people from different political ideologies have been involved in these meetings," he added.

In his address, Modi said that before the onset of GST scheme, there were 17 different types of taxes prevailing in the country, but now only one tax is applicable in the entire country. GST is not only the victory of integrity but it is also a celebration of honesty.

Earlier, in the case of taxation and allied affairs in the country, there were rampant complaints of Inspector Raj, he said.