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By:

Devendra Fadnavis

9 June 2026 at 5:42:34 pm

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and...

Trust, Development and India’s Rise

The story of India’s rise in the last decade has been marked by economic reform, infrastructure expansion and renewed national confidence When a public journey completes twelve years, it is often seen as a significant milestone marked by perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to a larger goal. Therefore, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes twelve years of leadership, this period must be assessed through the lens of sustained effort, transformative governance and measurable outcomes. Viewed from this perspective, these years represent a remarkable era of service, commitment and good governance. Every enduring journey has two dimensions. When it is undertaken for the welfare of society, its benefits ultimately reach society itself and positively impact diverse sections of the population. The outcomes of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts are visible in the unprecedented transformation witnessed in the lives of ordinary citizens. From 2014 to 2026, his twelve-year tenure has emerged as a defining phase in India's contemporary history. It has not merely been a period of political leadership, but a unique confluence of trust, development, good governance, cultural resurgence and public welfare. Global Leader Today marks another significant milestone. As an elected Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has completed 4,399 consecutive days in office, surpassing the record set by Jawaharlal Nehru. Some may argue that comparisons between Nehru and Modi are inappropriate. However, when Nehru assumed office, there was a widespread perception that he had no political alternative. By contrast, when Modi became Prime Minister, Indian democracy had matured considerably. Citizens understood both the power and significance of their vote. They were aware of their aspirations and expectations, and recognised that governments exist to serve public welfare. It was under these circumstances that Modi assumed office in 2014. The electorate entrusted him with responsibilities that successive Congress governments had failed to fulfil over five decades. Accepting that challenge, he articulated the vision of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,” which later evolved into “Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” After securing victories in 2014, 2019 and 2024, he today stands at the forefront of India’s emergence as a global leader. The mandate of 2024, following the decisive verdicts of 2014 and 2019, was not merely an electoral victory. It represented a renewed endorsement of development, good governance and stable leadership. Modi became the first leader since 1962 to serve a third consecutive term as Prime Minister. At a time when many democracies across the world are grappling with political instability, India chose continuity, stability and decisive governance. Over the past decade, the country has strengthened its position through economic reforms, social transformation, infrastructure development, national security and an assertive foreign policy. The more than twenty-four highest civilian honours conferred upon him by nations around the world reflect this growing global recognition. This has not been the journey of a single leader alone; it has been a collective national endeavour. As a result, India’s economy has expanded from approximately $2 trillion to $4.18 trillion, making it the world’s fourth-largest economy. Economic prosperity is indispensable for achieving social justice. Modi not only recognised this reality but also worked consistently to realise it. Initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat instilled confidence among Indians and enhanced global trust in Indian products. Today, demand for indigenous defence equipment has risen so sharply that projected production for the next decade may struggle to meet requirements. This reflects the true strength of a self-reliant India. Historic Achievements One of the government’s historic achievements has been the substantial reduction of Left-Wing Extremism across twelve affected states. Regions that remained untouched by development for decades are now witnessing tangible progress. Nearly 20 crore people had long lived under the shadow of fear and deprivation. Naxalism stalled development and adversely affected thousands of young lives. Today, the situation is changing. Industrial projects, including steel plants, are being established in areas such as Gadchiroli. Universities, medical colleges and major educational institutions are being set up. The voice of development is gradually replacing the sound of conflict. Over the last twelve years, India has witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure development. The national highway network has expanded from approximately 91,000 kilometres to nearly 1.46 lakh kilometres. Highways are being constructed at an average pace of 34 kilometres per day. Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, millions of kilometres of rural roads have transformed the lives of farmers, students and rural communities. Railway electrification has accelerated significantly, while initiatives such as Vande Bharat Express and the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme have redefined the image of Indian Railways. The country’s metro network has grown from 248 kilometres to more than 1,095 kilometres. The Modi government has placed the farmer at the centre of the development agenda. Through the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, direct financial assistance has been extended to more than 11 crore farmers. Significantly, the first file cleared during the government’s third term pertained to farmer welfare, underscoring this priority. Under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, the “Per Drop More Crop” initiative has brought millions of hectares under micro-irrigation. Agricultural output has reached record levels, and India has emerged as the world’s largest producer of milk. Through the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, free food grains have been provided to 81 crore citizens. More than four crore families have received permanent homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. The Ujjwala scheme has enabled over eleven crore women to access LPG connections. Under Ayushman Bharat, millions of citizens have benefited from free health insurance coverage. The Jal Jeevan Mission has ensured access to clean drinking water for more than sixteen crore households. Women’s empowerment has occupied a central place in government policy. Women account for a significant share of Jan Dhan account holders. The Lakhpati Didi initiative has helped millions of women achieve greater economic independence. Programmes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, maternity benefits, the strengthening of self-help groups and the growing participation of women in the armed forces have advanced the vision of women-led development. Digital Transformation India has also scripted a new chapter in digital transformation. Through the JAM trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile—lakhs of crores of rupees have been transferred directly to beneficiaries. India has emerged as a global leader in UPI transactions. BharatNet has connected lakhs of gram panchayats through optical fibre networks. Digital governance, faceless taxation and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) have enhanced transparency and efficiency in public administration. India today engages with the world on the basis of equality and mutual respect. The nation seeks trade, investment and technology, but without compromising its dignity or self-respect. During the Russia–Ukraine conflict, India demonstrated its ability to pursue an independent foreign policy, placing national interests above external pressures. Today, India is the world’s fourth-largest economy. Initiatives such as Make in India, Startup India and the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme have accelerated manufacturing growth. India has become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer. Electronics production has increased manifold. Significant investments have been attracted for semiconductor manufacturing, and the country is rapidly positioning itself as a global manufacturing hub. Encouraged by policy support, India’s startup ecosystem has grown to more than two lakh startups and hundreds of unicorns. During these twelve years, India has also reaffirmed its cultural identity with renewed confidence. The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, Mahakal Lok and the redevelopment of Kedarnath have infused new energy into the nation’s spiritual consciousness. Modi, who began his public life by paying homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, has also advanced initiatives such as the Panchteerth dedicated to Dr B.R. Ambedkar, the observance of Birsa Munda Jayanti as Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, the Statue of Unity honouring Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, commemorative initiatives for Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kartavya Path and the new Parliament building—each symbolising national pride and identity. Maharashtra has been among the principal beneficiaries of this development trajectory. Prime Minister Modi has extended support to the state in addressing its major developmental needs and challenges. From facilitating land for the Indu Mill Memorial to supporting projects such as the Amravati Textile Park, Vadhvan Port, Navi Mumbai International Airport, Samruddhi Mahamarg, Atal Setu, the Coastal Road and metro rail networks, his backing has been instrumental in advancing key infrastructure initiatives. Today, the world no longer views India merely as a large market. It increasingly recognises India as a reliable, responsible nation capable of contributing solutions to global challenges. India stands confidently on the world stage. These twelve years have laid a strong foundation for the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The journey of trust, development and people’s participation is poised to gather even greater momentum in the years ahead—a belief shared by millions of Indians. (The writer is the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.)

Golden Sales Tax: How GST has become India’s most important Reform in Decades

Once derided as the ‘Gabbar Singh Tax,’ the Goods and Services Tax has gone from being a political impossibility to India’s economic mainstay.

When India unveiled its Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017, the scepticism was deafening. Opposition politicians sneered at it as a “Gabbar Singh Tax” (in a nod to Bollywood’s most notorious villain), arguing it would cripple small businesses and weigh down households already groaning under inflation. Regional parties warned of a fiscal power grab by New Delhi. Even some of its advocates whispered doubts about whether such an ambitious overhaul could withstand India’s notoriously fractious federal politics.

 

Eight years later, the system looks less like a reckless gamble and more like a golden milestone. The GST has grown into a cornerstone of India’s fiscal architecture, helping to expand the tax base, simplify compliance and fatten government coffers. More importantly, it has changed the daily rhythm of economic life by streamlining trade, lowering costs on essentials and reducing the opacity that once defined India’s patchwork of levies. It has not been a perfect reform. But as it matures, what was once mocked as impossible has come to embody both fiscal modernity and political willpower.

 

Fiscal chaos

Pre-GST India was a labyrinth of taxes. A shopper buying a refrigerator or a trader moving goods across state borders faced not only the Value Added Tax (VAT) but also a barrage of other levies like entry taxes, central sales taxes, entertainment taxes, luxury taxes and more. In theory, VAT rates looked lighter, typically 0 percent, 4 percent, or 12.5 percent. In practice, the combined burden often climbed to between 25 percent and 45 percent.


The distortions were glaring. Toothpaste, soap, and cooking oil could attract levies as high as 27 percent. Bicycles, a staple for low-income households, faced a 16 percent rate. Home appliances such as washing machines or televisions endured a punishing 31.3 percent. Worse still, every state guarded its taxing rights jealously, erecting bureaucratic barriers that slowed commerce and fuelled bribery. Trucks laden with goods routinely lined up at state borders, where taxes were levied and palms greased. Corruption and evasion thrived.


GST sought to sweep away this maze and replace it with a unified regime. Today, staples such as rice, wheat, pulses, and milk are tax-free. Everyday necessities like soap or toothpaste face just 5 percent. Refrigerators and washing machines are taxed at 18 percent, not 31 percent. Chocolates and sweets, once at 31 percent, are now at 5 percent. These changes have translated into visible relief for households, especially the poor and middle class.


For farmers and labourers, GST has also been transformative. Tractors and their parts, once taxed at nearly 18 percent, are now at 5 percent. Irrigation equipment and fertilizers have been brought down from 12 percent to 5 percent. The ubiquitous three-wheeler, which provides livelihoods for millions, was once charged at 28 percent but now stands at just 5 percent. Even small cars and motorcycles, long seen as luxuries, face lighter treatment.


Healthcare has been a striking beneficiary. Medical supplies saw their rates slashed from 12 percent to 5 percent. Premiums for health and life insurance have been exempted altogether. These adjustments may look modest on paper, but in practice they have helped cushion households against economic shocks while underscoring the state’s role in safeguarding well-being.

 

Widening inclusion

For the exchequer, the benefits have been dramatic. In 2013-14, before GST, indirect tax collections stood at Rs. 4.96 trillion. By 2024-25, GST alone yielded Rs. 22.8 trillion. This surge was not merely the result of higher rates but of a broader, more transparent base. Digitised systems and invoice-matching have made it harder to evade taxes, while the simplified structure has encouraged compliance.


The numbers also tell a story of widening inclusion. In 2017, there were just 6.65 million registered taxpayers. By 2025, that figure had swelled to over 15 million. A Deloitte survey found that 85 percent of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and nearly 90 percent of industrial firms expressed satisfaction with the regime. For a country where tax collection has long been stymied by informality and distrust, such acceptance marks a cultural as much as an economic shift.

 

The idea of GST was hardly new when Narendra Modi’s government finally implemented it. Atal Bihari Vajpayee first floated the concept in 2000, setting up an empowered committee to draft a framework. The proposal resurfaced under Manmohan Singh’s United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which in 2006 set a target of 2010 for implementation. A constitutional amendment bill was introduced in 2011, only to lapse with the expiry of the 15th Lok Sabha.

 

The obstacles were legion. States balked at surrendering their revenue streams, particularly on lucrative items like petroleum and alcohol. Disputes over compensation dragged on for years. Even BJP-ruled Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh demanded strong safeguards before signing up. The UPA, beset by coalition compulsions, failed to bridge the gap. GST became a symbol of paralysis.The Modi government, by contrast, pushed doggedly ahead. In 2015, the Lok Sabha passed the GST Bill, but it took until August 2016 for Arun Jaitley, then finance minister, to coax consensus in the Rajya Sabha. By July 2017, the new regime was launched with much fanfare—and no shortage of hiccups. Businesses complained of technical glitches, frequent rate changes, and compliance burdens. Critics accused the government of rushing through an unready system. Yet the architecture held.

 

The GST’s journey from derision to acceptance has been powered by steady reform. The GST Council, the federal body overseeing implementation, has gradually simplified structures, rationalised rates, and expanded exemptions. September 2025 marks yet another milestone, as new reforms take effect to streamline compliance and widen relief.


At its inception, GST was painted as a villain, threatening livelihoods and fiscal federalism. Today, it is increasingly hailed as the “Golden Sparkling Tax” - a system that has not only boosted revenues but also delivered tangible benefits across society.

 

That said, the GST is no panacea. Critics rightly argue that its multiple rate slabs still complicate matters, and that its initial design failed to shield small traders from compliance headaches. Disputes between the Centre and states over compensation continue to simmer. And like any broad tax, it cannot by itself solve deeper challenges of inequality or informality.


Yet judged against the chaos it replaced, GST represents a profound shift. It has brought a measure of simplicity and transparency to one of the world’s most complex economies. It has demonstrated that, in a country where reform is often hostage to political squabbling, consensus is not impossible. And it has shown that taxation, when done right, can be more than a means of filling state coffers; it can be a lever for fairness, efficiency, and even unity.

 

The story of GST is thus as political as it is economic. The UPA, despite its economist prime minister, could not muster the will to deliver. The NDA, propelled by political dominance and a hunger to leave its imprint, did. That determination, combined with broad public acceptance, turned what was once deemed unattainable into reality.


As India marches deeper into the twenty-first century, GST stands as both a fiscal instrument and a metaphor. It illustrates how an idea dismissed as folly can, with persistence and compromise, become a foundation.

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