New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced that from tomorrow, a new Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework will come into force with only two main slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent. He said the change is aimed at making everyday goods and services more affordable.

Addressing the nation, Modi said the reforms would begin with the festival of Navratri. "From the first day of Navratri, next-generation GST reforms will come into effect with sunrise," he said.

According to him, essential goods such as food items, medicines, soap, toothpaste, brushes, health insurance and life insurance will now either be tax-free or attract only 5 per cent tax. "Among the items that were taxed at 12 per cent earlier, nearly 99...