<h1>Finance Minister Optimistic: Structural Reforms like GST and Demonetisation Show Positive Economic Trends, Overcoming Initial Challenges.</h1> The Finance Minister stated that the impacts of structural reforms like demonetisation and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are now largely behind, and early economic indicators suggest improvement. Despite initial challenges, these reforms are expected to benefit the economy in the long run. Recent data, including the Purchasing Managers' Index and industrial output, show positive trends. The Minister defended the reforms against criticism, emphasizing the necessity of bold changes to avoid policy paralysis. The economy had slowed to 5.7% growth in the April-June quarter, affected by demonetisation and GST implementation, but the outlook is now optimistic.