Consensus over the Goods and Services Tax (GST) continued to elude the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Tuesday.
State Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu and Public Works Minister Naeem Akhtar tabled the GST resolution before the two Houses for a debate. Both the Houses witnessed chaotic scenes as Opposition leaders barraged the Treasury Benches with allegations, resulting in multiple adjournments.
“We wish to know modifications made to the 101 amendment of the Constitution before extending it to J&K,” said CPI (M) leader M.Y. Tarigami.
Several Opposition parties, including the National Conference and the Congress, oppose adoption of the GST in its current form and demanded safeguards to protect the State’s fiscal autonomy.
“Section 3 bridges J&K with the Government of India, and Section 5 gives the State authority to use the (taxing) powers. There is Section 12 that prevents any change in the Section 3 and 5. Why this kind of change is being brought about?” asked Congress leader Rigzin Jora.
Tabling the draft earlier, Mr. Drabu called for “serious and sincere discussion to protect the autonomy and the exclusive constitutional position”. “The government will consider all the suggestions the lawmakers will make,” he said.
PDP hits out at NC
Ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Nazir Ahmad Yatoo said, “The NC in order to score political mileage from the GST issue wants bloodshed under its garb. We don’t need lessons from the NC about safeguarding J&K’s autonomy,” said Mr. Yatoo.
Traders protest
Many traders unfurled black flags on shops here against GST as the authorities detained several trade bodies’ leaders who tried to take out a protests march.
“We will not allow J&K to lose its taxing rights. Our demand is that the J&K government should seek further amendments to the 101 amendment to safeguard taxing rights and fiscal autonomy,” Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries spokesman Faiz Bakshi.
Inter-State trade at J&K toll post Lakhanpur, according to Mr. Bakshi, has come down by 70%. “Only vehicles carrying essentials are entering into the State. We are staring at a grave crisis,” Mr. Bakshi said.
