Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday held a virtual review meeting with ministers, MLAs, and other public representatives to discuss the implementation of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates and the ongoing Swadeshi campaign. The Chief Minister emphasized that the revised tax structure, effective nationwide from today, would strengthen both the economy of Uttarakhand and the vision of “Vocal for Local.”
Our correspondent reports that during the meeting, Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for what he termed a historic decision. He said the revised GST rates would directly benefit both the public and the business community, and therefore, a comprehensive awareness campaign would be launched across the state to ensure the advantages reached every household and entrepreneur.
The Chief Minister directed all public representatives to spearhead awareness drives in their constituencies between September 22 and September 29. Ministers would lead the campaign in their respective districts, while MLAs would focus on their assembly constituencies. Dhami stressed that the new GST framework would not only boost state revenue but also give further momentum to Uttarakhand’s Umbrella Brand “House of Himalayas,” the 27 products with GI tags, and the “One District, Two Products” scheme.
Our correspondent adds that the Chief Minister also underlined the role of these measures in expanding self-employment opportunities and contributing to the broader vision of “Atmanirbhar Uttarakhand.” He instructed officials and local bodies to hold meetings at both gram sabha and urban municipal levels to disseminate detailed information about the new tax provisions.
The Chief Minister urged the Industries Department to strengthen market linkages for local crafts and GI-tagged products so that artisans and entrepreneurs could benefit from the new tax environment. He stressed that the awareness campaign should not remain confined to publicity but should actively involve citizen participation. To achieve this, Dhami proposed the use of street plays, folk songs, and other cultural mediums so that messages could be communicated effectively and in relatable ways to the general public.
Our correspondent reports that Dhami also emphasized the role of the media in spreading awareness. He directed departments to make effective use of both traditional and digital platforms to ensure that information reached ordinary citizens, traders, and small entrepreneurs. He said that once implemented, the new GST rates would ease business processes, improve transparency in production and marketing, and enable small-scale entrepreneurs to connect with national and global markets.
Our correspondent adds that Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal gave a detailed presentation on the benefits of the revised GST structure, explaining how both consumers and traders would gain from the simplified rates. He said the measures would increase local productivity, improve market transparency, and boost Uttarakhand’s economic competitiveness.
The Chief Minister further called upon all public representatives to take personal responsibility for ensuring the campaign’s success and to transform it into a public movement. “Every citizen’s contribution is vital for strengthening the economic power of both the nation and the state,” Dhami remarked.
The meeting was attended by Rajya Sabha MP and BJP state president Mahendra Bhatt, Cabinet Ministers Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat and Rekha Arya, along with several MLAs and senior public representatives.
As Uttarakhand prepares to implement the revised GST rates from September 22, the state government is pushing to make the transition smooth, transparent, and impactful, ensuring that its benefits resonate across villages, towns, and cities.
The VUK Business Bureau covers economic developments, policy updates, and market trends with clarity and precision. Focused on delivering in-depth analysis of finance, trade, taxation, and entrepreneurship, the bureau provides readers with reliable insights into how business and economic decisions impact everyday life in Uttarakhand and across India.
