New Delhi, Sept. 4 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that the GST reforms mark a significant step in making India self-reliant, calling them the "next-generation" of changes required to strengthen the economy and ease compliance for citizens and a "double dhamaka" of happiness before this Diwali and Chhath Puja.

Announcing the implementation date, PM Modi said the simplified GST regime will take effect on September 22, the first day of Navratri.

Reiterating his Independence Day address, the Prime Minister said, "Without timely changes, we cannot give our country its rightful place in today's global situation. I had said from the Red Fort on 15 August this time that it is crucial to undertake next-generation reforms to mak...