The GST reforms, which kicked in from Monday, are going to benefit the poor, the middle class, the new middle class, the youth, kisan, women, shopkeepers and udhyami (entrepreneurs), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has said. The rate rationalisation (5 per cent and 18 per cent) will not only support local manufacturing but also bring cooperative federalism. Such a big tax reform became possible by taking all states together, since 2017," said the finance minister, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to the nation on Sunday. According to her, the GST reforms have reduced the tax burden on people. Additionally, a special 40 per cent tax bracket has been introduced for goods considered harmful or excessively luxurious, including cigarettes, tobacco, pan masala, soft drinks and high-end luxury cars.