*NC, Cong gear to rake up Special Position
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 3: The PDP-BJP coalition Government will be moving a Resolution in both Houses of the Legislature tomorrow seeking consent to adopt Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in Jammu and Kashmir. The Resolution, reportedly vetted by both the coalition partners, the PDP and BJP, was submitted tonight to Legislative Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta and Council Chairman Haji Inayat Ali for introduction in the two Houses tomorrow.
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In an apparent attempt to nullify the campaign by Opposition parties including National Conference, Congress and CPM, apart from some Independent MLAs, the Government Resolution proposed safeguards for existing Constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir with the Government of India and Legislative powers within the Constitution of the State.
“This House resolves that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir may give consent to the adoption of GST (Goods and Services Tax) regime by application of relevant amendments made to the Constitution of India in a modified manner to safeguard the existing Constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir in the Union of India and the Legislative powers under the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir,’’ the Resolution, which will be moved in the Legislative Assembly by Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu, at the start of the session tomorrow, read.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the Government would propose debate on the Resolution including implementation of GST regime in Jammu and Kashmir, safeguards for existing Constitutional position of Jammu and Kashmir with the Centre and keeping Legislative powers of J&K intact. The Government has kept four working days in the Assembly and three in the Council for debate, the Government reply and approval to the GST.
However, sources pointed out, the sittings of the session and debate etc would depend as to how the things shape up in the two Houses of the Legislature as the Government was anticipating trouble from the Opposition, mainly the National Conference and Congress, which together accounted for 27 MLAs.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu today briefed the BJP legislators about nitty-gritty of the GST and steps required to counter the Opposition campaign on new tax regime in the State at a dinner meeting for them at his residence. The BJP Ministers and legislators attended the meeting.
Sources said the dinner meeting went on very well and there was “perfect coordination’’ between the two Alliance partners as the proposed Resolution to be moved in the two Houses tomorrow had addressed concerns of both the diametrically opposite coalition partners. The BJP was satisfied that the GST would be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir in the next few days while the PDP was of the view that the Resolution proposed safeguard for Special Constitutional Position of Jammu and Kashmir and Legislative Powers under the Constitution of the State.
Dr Drabu had called a similar meeting of the PDP legislators last Saturday and briefed them on the GST including the points the Opposition could rake up and their counter the ruling party can put up.
National Conference Legislature Party leader Omar Abdullah, former Chief Minister is out of State and his presence in tomorrow’s sitting of the Legislative Assembly is also doubtful. The NC Core Group meeting today was chaired by party president Dr Farooq Abdullah at his residence in Srinagar in which the party decided to attend the Legislature proceedings and expose the Government for failing to explain safeguards that have taken for maintaining Special Position of Jammu and Kashmir while implementing the GST.
“The National Conference would corner the Government in both Houses of the Legislature citing that the Government, despite repeated requests by the party, hasn’t come out with blueprint on safeguards of J&K’s Special Position while implementing the GST,’’ sources said.
The Core Group meeting was attended by Abdul Rahim Rather, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mohammad Shafi Uri, Mian Altaf, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Mubarak Gul, Mohammad Akbar Lone, Devender Singh Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani.
The NC Legislature Party again met tonight at the residence of Dr Abdullah and gave final thought to the party’s strategy in the legislative Assembly and Council.
The Congress Legislature Party met in the summer capital of the State this morning under the chairmanship of PCC (I) chief GA Mir and observed that the party would take its stand on floor of both the Houses after going through the Resolution.
“The Congress position is very clear. We don’t want any compromise on Special Constitutional Position of State in implementation of the GST,’’ he added.
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