GST rollout in Jammu and Kashmir: Bill is an assault on state's special status, say separatists

Srinagar: Separatist leaders Thursday termed the adoption of Goods and Services Tax (GST) as an “assault” on the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. A joint statement by separatist leaders said Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee formed by trade and business bodies and civil society experts to look into the issue (of GST implementation) and safeguard any further dilution of the special status is a welcome step. [caption id=“attachment_3784007” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. PTI[/caption] “The leadership extends its support to it for dealing with this matter,” the statement issued by chairmen of both factions of Hurriyat Conference, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and JKLF chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik. It said “the concerns” expressed by the committee should be addressed by the authorities before any move to implement the law is taken, which will otherwise force people to resist it. Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution for implementing GST regime in the state through a presidential order calling on the Centre to safeguard the special status and exclusive taxation powers of the state. The resolution moved by Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, after two days of discussions, was adopted by a voice vote even as National Conference, Congress, CPM, and an independent MLA protested against implementing the GST regime in the state in its present form. “The latest assault in this regard is the implementation of the GST in its current form in the disputed land, which first the National Congress and now the PDP are pushing for,” the statement said. Meanwhile, independent MLA from Langate Sheikh Abdul Rashid, reacting sharply to the adoption of the resolution, said “how many laws will you implement or erode to vanish the autonomy of the state, Jammu and Kashmir still cannot become the part of India”.