SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu today moved a resolution in the Assembly to adopt Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in a modified manner to safeguard the existing special constitutional position of J&K.
However, the opposition, including National Conference (NC) and Congress, alleged that there was no clarification about the modifications made in the tax regime to safeguard the fiscal and political autonomy of the state.
“This House resolved that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir may give consent to the adoption of GST regime by application of the relevant amendments made to the Constitution of India in a modified manner to safeguard the existing special constitutional position of J&K in the Union of India and the legislative powers under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir,” said Mr Drabu.
Earlier, the House was adjourned when entire opposition demanded presence of mediapersons, who had walked out and boycotted the proceedings after video and still cameras besides mobile phones were not allowed inside. Dr Drabu moved the resolution after the House meet again.
The resolution was allowed by Speaker Kavinder Gupta and the members were asked to put forward their points. However, senior NC lawmaker Shaif Uri alleged that the resolution was tabled against the rules and regulations of the Assembly. He also sought clarification from the Speaker under which rule the resolution was tabled.
But, Law Minister Abdul Haq Khan said the resolution was tabled under 176 of the rule book under which any member or minister can move a resolution which is in the interest of the public.
Mr Gupta later evoked a rule under which no one can question the authority of the Speaker or argue with him over any decision made by him.
Mr Uri, opposing implementation of GST in its current form, alleged that it was a stepping stone to erode the special status of the state guaranteed under Article 370.
He also requested BJP MLA not to put pressure on coalition partner PDP over implementation of GST in its current form as will be counter productive not only for Kashmir, but also for Jammu and Ladakh.
Meanwhile, lone CPI(M) MLA Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami demanded clarification about the modification made in GST to safeguard the special status of the state so that opposition member could put forward their suggestions.
“I don’t question the intentions of the Finance Minister. But there are certain clarifications which I want before we discuss the resolution. I want to know what is this modification, the resolution is talking about. What is specification of the modification, once we know it, only then can we discuss the issue and put forth our suggestions,” said Mr Tarigami while raising a point of information in the lower House.
The House was again adjourned till 1430 hrs when independent member Er Sheikh Abdul Rashid referred to Shama Prasad Mukherjee, who died in prison in Srinagar in 1953 when he entered the state without ” Permit”. The BJP members and Er Rashid clashed over the issue and later opposition members also protested when speaker ordered Marshalls to took Er Rashid out from the House. (AGENCIES)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
