Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, July 1: Opposition National Conference (NC) today warned “consequences” if Goods and Services Tax (GST) is extended to the State without “adequate Constitutional safeguards”.
Former Finance Minister and senior leader of the opposition NC, Abdul Rahim Rather told a press conference here: “Our party will not accept the GST till we get the Constitutional, administrative and economic safeguards. GST in present form is not acceptable to the State. The Government should not extend it to the State without modification.”
Rather censured Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu for stating that the Government is implementing the new tax regime on July 6. “What is the fun of calling a Special Session of the Legislature when the Government has made up its mind to implement GST?,” he asked.
The NC leader said if the Government applies the GST law to the State in its present form, then the party would decide the next course of action.
The NC leader said that the PDP-BJP Government has failed to provide any concrete and alternative proposal for safeguarding the special position of the State in the Constitution of India.
“The Government has told the opposition that it will present the proposal to safeguard special status in the Assembly session. But don’t the traders and people have right to know?”, he asked.
Asked whether the National Conference would then boycott the Assembly session, Rather said the party’s Legislature party, which would meet in a day or two, would take a call on that.
He said the situation was serious and his party was concerned, but there was no issue which could not be resolved through discussions.
“The Government of India should listen to us, find solution and resolve the issue. We have no issue if the Government has any proposal but they should ensure that it does not erode the special position of Jammu and Kashmir,” the NC leader said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
