Revised GST charges from September 22 has a West Bengal affect, says Union Finance Minister

Highlighting that the second era GST reforms will enhance the economic system by rising demand, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday (September 18, 2025) mentioned that the willpower of September 22 because the date when revamped taxes will come into impact has a really robust affect on West Bengal.

“I’m completely satisfied to say that the willpower of twenty second September because the implementation date for the subsequent era GST reforms was largely influenced by (Durga) Puja. The Shubh Mangal Diwas when the revamped GST comes into impact coincides with the primary day of Navratri, the day after Mahalaya. There is, subsequently, a robust affect of Bengal on this decision-making,” Ms. Sitharaman mentioned at an occasion in Kolkata.

Durga Puja is the largest competition of West Bengal which begins from Mahalaya, starting of Devi Paksha and continues until Vijay Dashami when the idols are immersed in water our bodies.

The Union Finance Minister mentioned that the message from West Bengal will go on to encourage the remainder of the nation, simply because it did through the independence battle and as Bengal has all the time performed in main the nation.

“Durga Puja is Bengal’s greatest competition, and other people within the State make main purchases throughout this era. Keeping this in thoughts, we now have chosen this date for the brand new GST charges to return into impact. This will enable individuals to profit from the lowered tax burden through the festive season,” she mentioned.

The Union Finance Minister additionally highlighted that GST charges have been lowered from 12 % to five % variety of native produce and handicrafts of West Bengal resembling Darjeeling tea, processed mango merchandise from Malda Jute luggage, leather-based items from Santinetakan, Purulia Chhau Masks, picket masks of Kushmandi, Madur Kathi, Bankura Terracotta crafts, Shola crafts and Nakshi Kanta amongst others. Most of those merchandise have Geographical Identification (GI) tags supplied by  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The Finance Minister expressed optimism that these modifications would spur development throughout varied sectors within the State. “Bengal is understood for its wealthy craftsmanship and agricultural merchandise, and with the brand new tax charges, we anticipate elevated gross sales through the festive season,” she mentioned.

Ms. Sitharaman mentioned that new era GST reforms have been a results of intensive consultations and efforts from all states, with vital contributions from the GST Council.

“I might be amiss if I didn’t give credit score to the States for coming collectively and agreeing on the proposal within the GST Council to scale back the charges. I wrote personalised letters to the finance ministers within the GST Council, no matter get together or affiliation, thanking them for enjoying a really constructive function, because the individuals of India want this discount now,” she added.