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

Highlighting that the second technology GST reforms will increase 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 sturdy affect on West Bengal.

“I’m blissful to say that the willpower of twenty second September because the implementation date for the subsequent technology 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, due to this fact, 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 wrestle and as Bengal has at all times performed in main the nation.

“Durga Puja is Bengal’s largest competition, and folks within the State make main purchases throughout this era. Keeping this in thoughts, we’ve got chosen this date for the brand new GST charges to come back into impact. This will enable individuals to profit from the diminished tax burden through the festive season,” she mentioned.

The Union Finance Minister additionally highlighted that GST charges have been diminished from 12 % to five % variety of native produce and handicrafts of West Bengal corresponding to 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 progress throughout numerous sectors within the State. “Bengal is thought for its wealthy craftsmanship and agricultural merchandise, and with the brand new tax charges, we count on elevated gross sales through the festive season,” she mentioned.

Ms. Sitharaman mentioned that new technology GST reforms had 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, regardless of social gathering or affiliation, thanking them for enjoying a really constructive function, because the individuals of India want this discount now,” she added.