Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called on Indian women to take the lead in boosting consumer spending once the new GST 2.0 regime comes into effect on September 22, 2025. Addressing a gathering in Delhi at the launch of welfare projects worth ₹1,723 crore, Shah asked women to embrace shopping as part of the upcoming festive season but underlined that purchases should focus on Indian-made goods.
Shah said that with the reduced GST rates, households will see real benefits in their day-to-day expenses. He encouraged women to exercise “dadagiri at home” by prioritising purchases and ensuring that family spending helps strengthen local industries. Linking his appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘vocal for local’ campaign, Shah urged citizens to pledge that every rupee spent should support domestic manufacturing.
The GST 2.0 reforms mark a major shift in India’s indirect taxation system. Several goods and services that were earlier taxed at higher rates of 28% or 18% will now attract either 5% or even 0% GST. Categories such as beauty and wellness services — including salons, barbers, gyms and yoga centres — will see tax rates cut to 5%. Similarly, popular consumer durables and home appliances like televisions, air conditioners and dishwashers will become cheaper due to reduced slabs.
GST 2.0 also aims to simplify the structure by consolidating items into two main tax slabs — 5% and 18% — while retaining the steep 40% rate only for luxury and so-called “sin goods.” The government expects these changes to encourage higher consumer demand, particularly ahead of major festivals like Navratri and Diwali, when shopping traditionally peaks.
Shah’s call serves a dual purpose: to stimulate spending in the domestic market and to channel that spending toward swadeshi products, ensuring that Indian industries benefit most from the economic boost. His message highlights how fiscal reforms and patriotic consumer choices can go hand-in-hand in shaping India’s economic growth.
