HT Correspondent
NAHARLAGUN, Sept 24: Deputy Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Chowna Mein on Wednesday engaged with the state’s business community during a GST awareness campaign organised by the Arunachal Chamber of Commerce & Industries (ACC&I) in Naharlagun.
The programme formed part of the ongoing GST Bhachat Utsav, a 100-day nationwide campaign aimed at ensuring that consumers reap the benefits of simplified GST 2.0 reforms.
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Addressing traders and entrepreneurs, Mein emphasised their crucial role in the effective implementation of GST.
He described the reform, introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a landmark step that transformed India’s indirect tax system, simplified compliance processes and strengthened the country’s economic foundations.
The Deputy Chief Minister highlighted the remarkable progress recorded in Arunachal Pradesh since the introduction of GST.
He informed that the state’s GST collections had grown nearly seven-fold—from ₹227 crore in 2017–18 to about ₹1,900 crore in 2023–24.
He underlined that these enhanced revenues had enabled the state government to invest in critical infrastructure such as roads, expand healthcare facilities, strengthen education, and fund welfare programmes.
Mein also recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had lauded the active participation of local traders and entrepreneurs in successfully implementing GST.
He urged the business community to ensure that the multiple benefits of the reform percolate down to the common citizen, thereby strengthening trust in the system.
Placing the campaign within the framework of the ongoing ‘Seva Pakhwada’, which runs until October 2, Mein explained that various flagship programmes such as Poshan Abhiyan, GST Bachat Utsav, and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam were being taken to grassroots communities.
He asserted that these efforts were not limited to tax collection but were part of a broader strategy to empower local industries, reduce import dependency, and promote Swadeshi products under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
“With the support of all NDA legislators, we aim to take the message of #NextGenGST and Swadeshi to every household in Arunachal Pradesh,” he declared, calling upon every section of society to participate in strengthening the national economy.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for ushering in GST reforms that created new opportunities for small businesses, Mein urged citizens to collectively strive towards building a stronger nation.
He concluded by reaffirming the state’s resolve to contribute to the goal of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, stating, “Together, let us strengthen India’s economy, culture, and society.” The campaign witnessed significant participation, with Minister Dasanglu Pul, MLAs Techi Kaso, Toko Tatung, Zingnu Namchoom, Rotom Tebin and Puinnyo Apum joining the event, along with ACC&I President Tarh Nachung and senior BJP functionaries.
