Odisha CM Lauds GST Reforms, Calls Them a Boost for Farmers, Workers, and Families

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has welcomed the Centre’s latest Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, saying the measures will bring relief to Odisha’s farmers, kendu leaf workers, and middle-class families while strengthening the state’s economy.

Addressing reporters in New Delhi, Majhi said the reduction of GST on kendu leaves from 18% to 5% would directly benefit thousands of pluckers in Odisha. The move, he noted, would improve sales through procurement agencies and ensure better returns for those dependent on kendu leaf collection.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that lowering GST on agricultural equipment will ease production costs for farmers and make modern farm tools more affordable. This, he said, would not only reduce financial pressure on cultivators but also improve productivity and strengthen rural incomes.

Highlighting sector-specific gains, Majhi said the rationalisation of GST will particularly help Odisha’s coal industry, boosting the state’s revenue base and creating wider economic benefits.

He further underlined that GST exemption on health insurance premiums would make policies more affordable for middle- and lower-middle-class households, improving healthcare security and providing financial relief to families.

Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Majhi described the reforms as a “transformative milestone.” In a social media post, he said the new GST regime would empower MSMEs, generate employment, and strengthen the financial capacity of ordinary citizens.