PM Modi’s 5 PM Address Before GST 2.0 Rollout Today

New Delhi, September 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 5:00 PM IST today, a move that has stirred both curiosity and speculation. The announcement lands at a moment thick with economic and political undercurrents. Tomorrow, the new GST 2.0 framework takes effect, reshaping India’s tax regime. Just yesterday, Modi highlighted India’s massive dependence on foreign shipping companies. And all of this arrives on the eve of Navratri, when the government traditionally rolls out measures aimed at consumer sentiment.

A Shipping Bill As Large As Defence

In his remarks on Saturday, Modi sounded a warning about India’s position in the global maritime economy. According to him, the country spends ₹6 lakh crore every year paying foreign shipping firms to carry its cargo. To put that in perspective, the figure is on par with India’s defence budget.

“It is time India carried its own weight at sea,” he told industry leaders, urging a shift towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in the shipping sector.

The government has drawn up a ₹70,000 crore package of schemes to revive maritime power, as reported by The Times of India. These include incentives for shipbuilding, support for coastal cargo operations, and policies designed to draw private investment into fleet expansion. Officials frame this as a long-term strategy to reduce the outflow of foreign exchange and create jobs at home.

Still, experts caution that India’s shipping industry faces structural disadvantages: limited fleet strength, high entry costs, and gaps in training. Even with government aid, building a globally competitive fleet will be an uphill task.

GST 2.0: A New Tax Map

Meanwhile, the country’s tax landscape is about to change in ways not seen since GST was first rolled out in 2017. The GST Council has approved a two-tier system:

A 5 percent rate for essentials and mass goods
An 18 percent rate for most other items and services
Plus a 40 percent “demerit” slab covering luxury and sin goods

Several products that previously sat in the 12 and 28 percent brackets are being shifted down, a move that could reduce household costs and ease compliance for businesses.

According to Business Standard, the goal is to stimulate consumption and investment at a time when global headwinds are slowing trade. But state governments are already concerned about losing revenue, since compensation funds are winding down. How these reforms balance Centre and state interests will be closely watched.

Why Modi’s Address Has Raised Eyebrows

The Prime Minister’s decision to speak today is unusual. No agenda has been disclosed, which has only heightened speculation.

With GST 2.0 taking effect tomorrow, some expect him to use the platform to reassure both businesses and ordinary consumers. Others believe the speech could be linked to the government’s shipping push. And given the festive season, there is also chatter about direct relief measures to boost spending power.

As OdishaBytes noted, social media is buzzing with theories. Some users predict tweaks in GST exemptions for everyday goods, while others expect a broader policy message about economic self-reliance.

For now, the suspense has markets, political leaders, and industry groups waiting for clarity.

What Is At Stake

The stakes are high on multiple fronts.

Economic: If India can build a stronger shipping sector, billions of rupees that now flow abroad could stay in the domestic economy. GST reforms, on the other hand, could unlock consumer demand just as the festival season begins.
Political: State elections are around the corner in several regions. Any announcement touching on taxes or subsidies will inevitably be read as a campaign move.
Global: Maritime reforms link directly to India’s ambition of becoming a global trade hub, while simplified taxes could make the country more attractive to investors.

As it turns out, today’s speech might not be about one policy alone but rather about weaving together these threads into a single narrative of economic resilience.

The Questions At 5 PM

When Modi speaks this evening, the answers everyone will look for include:

Will households and small businesses get relief under GST 2.0?
Will new incentives for ports and shipping be unveiled?
Could there be a festival-time stimulus to lift demand?
Or will the address be more symbolic, meant to mark a turning point in India’s economic journey?

For now, the wait continues. What is certain is that the Prime Minister’s words will set the tone for India’s economic conversation heading into the final quarter of 2025.

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Ananya Sharma

Senior Political Correspondent – Ananya@hindustanherald.in – Web

Covers Indian politics, governance, and policy developments with over a decade of experience in political reporting.

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