Lucknow, Sep 21 (NationPress) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday praised the revolutionary changes in the Goods and Services (GST) Tax, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for presenting a historic Diwali gift to the nation, particularly to Uttar Pradesh. He applauded the decision to eliminate tax brackets on essential items such as educational supplies, milk, curd, ghee, cheese, and various food products, while imposing increased taxes on drugs and extravagant expenses.

During the inauguration of the NaMo Yuva Run for a drug-free India from his residence, CM Yogi stated that the GST reforms will alleviate inflation for the underprivileged, make education more accessible, and enhance citizens’ purchasing power, thereby stimulating markets, generating employment, and paving new paths for advancement.

He emphasized that the reform guarantees benefits for traders, relief for the disadvantaged, and advantages for all consumers, urging that every citizen of Uttar Pradesh be informed of its importance.

Highlighting the BJP's nationwide observance of 'Seva Pakhwada' from September 17 to October 2, he mentioned that Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers are imparting a transformative aspect to Seva Pakhwada through blood donation campaigns, cleanliness drives, and health initiatives, linking this effort with the vision of a Developed India.

Discussing the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', CM Yogi recalled the Prime Minister’s call to commit to building a Developed India by embracing five vows: eradicating remnants of colonialism, valuing heritage, honoring soldiers and uniformed personnel, fostering social equality, and fulfilling civic responsibilities with integrity.

"These vows will steer the nation toward progress. Motivated by this vision, Uttar Pradesh has initiated the 'Viksit India – Viksit Uttar Pradesh' campaign, garnering significant support from youth, farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, and intellectuals," he remarked.

Emphasizing self-reliance as the cornerstone of development, the Chief Minister stated that a self-sufficient society emerges from a healthy community, and events like the NaMo Marathon offer new direction and energy to the youth. Since 2014, Prime Minister Modi has propelled numerous initiatives aimed at health and youth empowerment.

Further addressing the youth, he remarked that youth power signifies limitless energy—when harnessed positively, it can transform the nation. However, when misdirected towards drugs, it leads only to destruction.

He noted that the NaMo Marathon serves as a powerful appeal for youth to resist addiction.