Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 21: Emphasizing for handling all issues in Kashmir firmly, former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta said that it would be a mirage to expect any good from Kashmir based mainstream opposition especially the National Conference, (NC) the leadership of which had been glorifying the violence.
In a statement issued here today the former Union Minister said that NC leadership has been changing colours like anything and having extended their support to separatists in addition to glorifying the perpetrators of violence by terming them as fighters of Azadi for “Kashmiri Nation”. This way they are ignoring the fact that these ultras have even burnt down many educational institutions and other public properties as well as are indulging in harming the interests of poor people by damaging the tourist season with the result they are unable to make their both ends meet.
Referring to the serious situation being created on the economic front, especially the trade and industry on the issue of GST which carries the slogan of One Country One Tax, Prof. Gupta pointed out that the protagonists of Azadi and autonomy are not in any way concerned with any welfare of the masses but they are for obnoxious thinking of two nation and three nations theories which clearly smack of separatism. They are little concerned with the betterment of the masses and that of State as a whole, he alleged and pointed out that even their basic thinking of nationhood changes when in power and out of power. The events of history are witness to it, he maintained and said that dubious approach is quite dangerous which tantamount to blackmailing the country itself.
In this connection, Prof. Gupta recalled the GST issue is quite old one and then State Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather was Chairman of the Committee for about three years but it sounds strange that he too does not support GST for misleading slogan of autonomy of the State, although it is purely a money matter and would not only adversely affect the already crumbling fiscal position but also add confusion and so many other problems.
Prof. Gupta said that in the given situation, the State and Central authorities should consider some other routes for extension of GST in this State, as in the past too several Central measures were extend under presidential order which is admissible under much talked Article 370. But the welfare of the people and that of the State should remain supreme, he added and said that in the prevailing surcharged atmosphere even the Congress would play dubious role although this party at the Centre and in other States has supported the GST.
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