Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 23 (ANI): Slamming the Centre, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday said that had GST reforms been implemented eight years ago, families across the country would have already saved many lakh crores.

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms came into effect on Monday, covering a wide range of services, including daily consumer items. The GST council, headed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, had announced the reform of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on September 4.

In a post shared on X, Tamil Nadu CM said, 'Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi now says Indians will save Rs. 2.5 lakh crore through #GST reform and #IncomeTax relief. But this is exactly what the Opposition has been demanding from the very beginning. If these measures had been taken eight years ago, families across the country would already have saved many lakh crores more.

https://x.com/mkstalin/status/1970380194008490492

Stalin further claimed that half of the relief announced has actually been borne by state governments, a contribution that, according to him, has not been acknowledged by the Centre. 'Moreover, it is our duty to point out that 50% of this relief has been actually borne by the State Governments, a fact which the Union has failed to acknowledge as well as appreciate,' he said.

The Chief Minister also accused the Union government of withholding funds owed to Tamil Nadu, including allocations under the Samagra Shiksha scheme. The Samagra Shiksha scheme is an integrated scheme for school education covering the entire gamut from pre-school to class XII. The scheme treats school education as a continuum and is in accordance with Sustainable Development Goal for Education (SDG-4).

'On the contrary, the Union BJP Government is denying funds that rightfully belong to the States. Tamil Nadu is being denied #SamagraShiksha funds only because we refuse to accept #HindiImposition. When will this injustice end?' Stalin asked.

He reiterated his demand for cooperative federalism, saying that India cannot progress by 'punishing states that defend their rights and stand for their people.' He urged the Centre to release the pending funds and respect the principles of federalism.

'India cannot grow by punishing States that defend their rights and stand for their people. Respect federalism, release the funds, and let the people benefit from what is rightfully theirs!' he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday wrote a letter to the Indian citizens, highlighting that the 'GST Bachat Utsav' will boost savings and directly benefit every section of society.

In his letter, PM Modi extended wishes to the countrymen on the occasion of Navratri.

'As the nation celebrates the beginning of Navaratri, I extend heartfelt wishes to you and your families. May this festival bring good health, happiness and prosperity to everyone. This year, the festive season brings an added reason to rejoice. From September 22nd, the Next Generation GST reforms have begun to make their presence felt, marking the start of a 'GST Bachat Utsav' or 'GST Savings Festival' across the country,' PM Modi wrote. (ANI)