A crucial Assembly session would reconvene in Kashmir on Tuesday to accord ascent to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that was implemented across the country on July 1 except in Jammu & Kashmir. While the Opposition parties claim that the implementation of GST would erode the special constitutional position of the J&K State, the ruling PDP-BJP alliance said the tax regime would be introduced with sufficient safeguards to the special status of the State.
Sources said that Finance Minister Haseb Drabu would introduce a resolution in the Assembly that reads the Government may give consent to the adoption of GST regime by application of relevant amendments made to the Constitution of India in a modified manner to safeguard the existing special constitutional position of J&K in the Union of India and the legislative powers under the Constitution of J&K.
The introduction of the resolution is likely to create furor in the Assembly. The Opposition political parties-National Conference (NC) and Congress held separate meetings to deliberate on how to corner the Government in the Assembly.
While NC held a Core Group meeting under the chairmanship of the party president, Farooq Abdullah, the Congress met under its State head GA Mir at his residence.
“Our stand is clear that any attempt to dilute or erode autonomy of the state will be opposed tooth and nail,” NC general secretary and legislator Ali Muhammad Sagar said. “Our party president (Farooq Abdullah) clearly told us that National Conference should defend the special status of J&K and will not allow its erosion in any circumstances,” he added.
He said the party will stick to its stand and oppose the extension of GST to the state without safeguards to the fiscal and constitutional autonomy.
The congress alleged that PDP-BJP coalition government was trying to implement the GST law in Jammu and Kashmir to save their coalition. At a press conference JKPCC chief
GA Mir termed the GST as ‘Government Saving Tax’ because the coalition government had “no way to come out from the present situation”.
Mir said the PDP leaders failed to raise their voice against the GST in the Indian parliament when the bill was passed.
“Now, they are trying to mingle words to save their chair and to betray the people as well,” he added. “We won’t allow any compromise over the special position of JK. The state government should ensure the security of JK’s the special status,” he said.