Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Centre has shared a draft of the new GST reforms with all states and asked for their support to bring it into effect before Diwali.

Speaking at an event after inaugurating two expressways, he said the reforms will help the poor, the middle class, and both small and big businesses.

Modi said the plan is to make GST laws simpler and also revise tax rates. He first announced this move during his Independence Day speech on August 15.

“For us, reform means better governance,” the Prime Minister said. “We want to make life easier for people and businesses.”

He added that the government is preparing more big reforms in the coming months.

Calling it a “next generation reform,” Modi said, “This Diwali, people will get a double bonus from GST reform.”

The Centre has already sent the draft proposal to states. Modi urged them to act quickly so that the new system can be ready by Diwali.