Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 15: Terming the issue of GST as purely a money matter, the former Union Minister, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta deplored those who are trying to create a fuss in troubled Kashmir by linking it to the much abused autonomy of the State.
In a statement, Prof.Gupta said that the issue has been debated at the national level for a long time before its adoption. Most of the States including those of Himachal and other special category units have also given their approval. As far as J&K is concerned there could be some flaws and issues which can be debated and sorted out in a cordial manner which is of course the essence of a democracy. But it is a pity that some dubious characters and disgruntled elements are attempting to fuel the secessionism and unrest by misinterpreting the taxation change as an onslaught on the autonomy. This should be snubbed and exposed, he asserted.
Prof. Gupta said that those erstwhile rulers, who are much talking of autonomy, have brought this State in a pitiable position that the local Government cannot meet even the salaries and pensions of its employees from internal resources. The pay bill of the State staff and pensioners is touching to that of about Rupees thirty thousand crores, whereas the revenue receipts from own resources of the State could not touch even the figure of Rupees twenty thousand crores, but still there is much parroting for autonomy and even their support for Azadi.
Prof.Gupta recalled that before his fall and arrest by his own colleagues the founding father of National Conference, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah used to talk much of the independence of the State and asking Kashmiris to take potatoes rather than depending upon rice of New Delhi. But in 1975, when the same Sheikh took over, but he was a changed man, , talked little about autonomy and served the people by assuring more and more Central assistance as being an integral part of Indian Union.
Thus, he maintained that there is the need to ensure more and more Central assistance to bring out the State from the prevailing sad situation rather than creating any more problems.
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