Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted virtually with ministers, MLAs, and other elected representatives of the state on Sunday. He stated that the new GST rates will come into effect across the country from September 22. The Chief Minister said that the revised GST rates will strengthen the state’s economy and will propel the state towards the goals of ‘Vocal for Local’ and ‘Local to Global’. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for this historic decision. The Chief Minister said that a comprehensive public awareness campaign will be launched across the state to ensure that the benefits of the new rates reach the general public and the business community quickly. He appealed to all elected representatives to conduct awareness programs in their respective areas from September 22 to 29. The in-charge ministers will lead the campaign in their respective districts, and MLAs in their constituencies. The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand’s umbrella brand ‘House of Himalayas’, the 27 GI-tagged products, the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme, and other local handicrafts and agricultural products will benefit from the new tax structure. This will increase self-employment opportunities and help in realizing the vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Uttarakhand’ (Self-reliant Uttarakhand). The Chief Minister emphasized that all departments and bodies should make continuous efforts to make this campaign a success. He said that meetings should be organized at the village and municipal council levels to provide detailed information to the rural and urban residents. The Industries Department has also been instructed to ensure that GI-tagged products and the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme are further strengthened and made market-oriented. The Chief Minister said that the awareness campaign should not be limited to mere publicity, but should also ensure public participation. For this, street plays, folk songs, and other cultural mediums will be used to convey the message to the people in a simple and effective manner. He said that after the implementation of the new GST rates, not only will business become easier, but both consumers and producers will benefit. Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal provided detailed information about the benefits that the general public and businesses will receive from the new GST rates. Those present during the event included Rajya Sabha MP and state BJP president Mahendra Bhatt, Cabinet Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, MLA Rekha Arya, and other elected representatives.
