New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation on the eve of the implementation of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms, the Congress party dismissed the speech as a mere repetition of earlier statements.

Congress leader Pawan Khera said there was "nothing new" in the Prime Minister's remarks and accused the government of devastating micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by implementing demonetisation and GST.

"Was there anything new in what PM Modi said today? He made the announcement on 15th August. Today, he has made an announcement that we have been demanding since 2017... MSMEs were devastated by their own demonetisation and GST... There is a great need for state-level GST so that...