At the stroke of Midnight hour, India unveiled GST touted as India’s biggest Tax Reform since Independence. After years of deliberations and successive governments working hard to bring about a consensus, India will finally awake to a new tax regime. Finance Minister, Mr. Arun Jaitley who recalled  the 14 year long journey said that biggest Tax reform since Independence was made possible by collective efforts of many luminaries across party lines. ‘It shows that India can  collectively think  and act with maturity for broader purpose’

Prime Minister Modi called GST ‘Good and Simple Tax’ that will make the lives of people simpler and will relieve them from tax oppression due to multiple taxes.  "We are deciding India's future," he said. Just as Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel made one sovereign India possible, this moment will pave way for economic Unity of India.

President Pranab Mukherjee said ‘It is remarkable that in 18 meetings of GST Council decisions were taken by Consensus’. President Mukherjee also reminisced his days as Finance Minister and how he was closely involved with the initial brain storming on GST.

The Finance Minister and The Prime Minister both warned of initial hiccups that may arise due to the GST but assured that every citizen will reap the benefit of One Nation One Tax.

Former Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh chose to boycott the event in solidarity with his party, choosing to stay out of the historic occasion that will singlehandedly change lives of every single Indian.

Here is what the Finance Minister, Prime Minister and the President had to say in this historic address:

These pieces on the GST on MyIndMakers will help you understand GST better:

1. How to approach setting the rate structure for India’s GST? (https://www.myind.net/how-approach-setting-rate-structure-india-gst#.dpuf)
2. India’s Landmark Tax Reform GST: Suggestions for minimizing Administrative and Compliance Costs and Improving Effectiveness (https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/india-landmark-tax-reform-gst-suggestions-minimizing-administrative-and-compliance-costs-and)
3. The Gist of the GST (https://www.myind.net/gist-gst)
4. (A Contrarian View) Rethinking GST (https://myind.net/Home/viewArticle/rethinking-gst)
5. GST (Goods and Services Tax) in India - Part 1 (https://www.myind.net/gst-goods-and-services-tax-india-part-1)
6.  GST (Goods and Services Tax) in India - Part 2 (https://www.myind.net/gst-goods-and-services-tax-india-part2)