Decorate every shop with Swadeshi: PM Modi

New Delhi, Sept 21 (IANS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted on Sunday that the GST reforms kicking in from Monday will accelerate India's growth story, emphasising that it is a big and important step for "aatmanirbhar Bharat" and linking a boost to 'swadeshi’ products to the country's prosperity.

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Addressing the nation on the eve of the auspicious Navaratri, which will mark the implementation of the revised GST rates, PM Modi said swadeshi will render strength to the country's prosperity in a similar way it powered India's freedom movement.

"We have to make every home a symbol of swadeshi. We have to decorate every shop with swadeshi (goods)," he said The roll-out of next-generation GST reforms months after his government raised the income tax exemption on annual earnings of up to Rs 12 lakh will be a "double bonanza" for citizens, helping them realise their dreams by slashing expenditure and increasing savings, he said. Citizens will save Rs 2.5 lakh crore from the twin decisions, he said.

He urged states to boost manufacturing and create a conducive atmosphere for investment, saying that when the Centre and states work together, the dream of a self-reliant India will be realised.

He had a message for citizens too. It should be the spirit of every Indian that he says with pride that he purchases or sells made-in-India products, the prime minister said, stressing that it will quicken the pace of the country's development.