Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 17: The Government has announced constitution of All Party Committee (APC) to debate Goods and Services Tax (GST) before the legislation is introduced in the Legislature. The Legislative Assembly session, which has been adjourned sine die, will not be prorogued by the Government and resumed again when the APC submits its report.
Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta told the Excelsior that since the Assembly has been adjourned only sine die, the Session can be revived anytime the Government wants. “There was no need for fresh summons till the Assembly is adjourned sine die,’’ he said, adding only when the Assembly is prorogued by the Governor on the recommendations of the Parliamentary Affairs Ministry that the Session had to be called fresh.
The Speaker said, as per the Legislature Rules, the same session can be resumed anytime the Government wanted unless it was prorogued by the Governor. If the Session is prorogued, it had to be summoned afresh by the Governor on recommendations of the Cabinet.
He added that the decision to adjourn the Assembly sine die was taken at a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) this morning as there was no agenda before the House except for Obituary reference.
The Special Session had to be called to debate the GST and pass it but in view of opposition from some political parties, trade organizations etc, the Government has decided to set up the APC to have further deliberations on the bill before bringing it back to the Legislature.
According to sources, the APC headed by PDP MP and former Finance Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig will comprise Finance Minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu, Abdul Rahim Rather, former Finance Minister (National Conference), Aijaz Ahmad Khan (Deputy Congress Legislature party leader in Assembly), Sunil Sethi (BJP), MY Tarigami (CPM), Hakim Mohammad Yasin (PDF), Harshdev Singh (NPP), Ghulam Hassan Mir (DPN).
The APC could co-opt more members, if required.
Sources said no official notification has so far been issued by the State Government on constitution of the APC and the members have only been informed individually about their inclusion in the Panel to debate GST and give suggestions before its introduction in the Legislature.
The GST is proposed to be rolled out in the entire country on July 1.
Sources said even the State Cabinet has the powers to adopt the GST but the Government had preferred to take Legislature route to evolve consensus but in view of opposition from various quarters, the Government has for the time being deferred its decision.
Meanwhile, Government spokesman and Works Minister Naeem Akhtar today said that Constitutional amendment regarding GST does not apply to J&K suo-moto but added that GST is a good tax reform which will be taken up for implementation in J&K only after arriving at consensus through broad-based consultation process.
“Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had called an All Party Meeting ahead of the Special Session of Legislature to take the viewpoint of the people’s representatives and seek their suggestions regarding implementation of GST in the State,” he said.
The Minister said that after multiple apprehensions came forth ahead of the Special Session of the Legislature from trade community, consumers as well as political parties, the Government decided to further deliberate on the issue to ensure ample safeguards are put in place to clear the public misgivings.
“For this, an All Party Panel has been constituted to take suggestions, viewpoint and inputs from all stakeholders so that interests of the consumers can be protected, the Minister said adding that the “Government will not push for GST implementation in JK till the time there is complete consensus on the issue”.
He further said that inputs are welcome from all stakeholders so that the Government can work towards resolving those concerns besides strengthening the reform to make it people friendly tax reform.
“Government is willing to introduce GST in the State with ample safeguards as this tax reform will be beneficial for the State economy and traders. With proper safeguards, GST will not endanger the special status of Jammu & Kashmir granted to it by constitution of India under Article 370”, the Minister said.
Naeem said that there will be effective consultation process which will surely help the government to come up with an overall better and consumer friendly GST.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel