Srinagar, Jul 04 (KNS): The PDP-BJP government Tuesday tabled resolution in the Legislature about adoption of Goods and Services Tax (Tax) in a modified manner to safeguard the special status of the state, following days of controversy and debate over the issue.
According to KNS correspondent, Finance minister Dr Haseeb Drabu tabled the resolution in the Legislative assembly while Minister for Public Works Naeem Akhtar tabled the resolution in Legislative Council.
“This House resolves that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir may give consent to the adoption of the GST regime by application of 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,” read the resolution tabled by Drabu and Akhtar in both the Houses.
When the proceedings for discussion of the resolution started, the Opposition created uproar after seeing empty media gallery and protested against the government for banning electronic media, cameras and mobile phone of journalists.
“You have imposed emergency in the Assembly,” NC leader and Provincial president Jammu, Davender Rana, shouted toward the Speaker Kavinder Gupta.
Soon, the print media journalists joined the electronic media journalists and protested against the government by boycotting the proceedings.
“It if for the first time in the legislative history of Jammu and Kashmir that media has been gagged and muzzled by the government for covering the proceedings of the House,” Rana said.
Seeing empty media galleries, the opposition parties walked out of the Lower House and the Speaker Kavinder Gupta adjourned the House.
“We will not join the proceedings until media is allowed with their gadgets and cameras to cover the proceedings,” said NC Legislator Abdul Majeed Larmi.
As per KNS correspondent, following the boycott by the media, the Speaker apologised to the media and requested them to join the proceedings with their gadgets and cameras.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWhen the House began after the adjournment, the Opposition members trashed the resolution of the government on GST.
“The resolution is not clear about the safeguards to the Special status of the state,” National Conference leader, Muhammad Shafi Uri said in his speech.
Uri also explained on how the GST is eroding Special status and said that the government should amend the resolution and explain what safeguards it is bringing into the GST.
Congress leaders including Nawang Rigzin Jora, G M Saroori, and independent MLAs Hakeem Yaseen and M Y Tarigami also spoke on the resolution.
“The resolution is vague; it does not speak clearly about the safeguards,” Tarigami said.
Jora said that the government has in its agenda of alliance promised maintaining special status of the state and the GST will test their AoA.
Hakeem Yaseen said the government should not erode Article 370 which gives special identity to Jammu and Kashmir in the country.
Later, the assembly was adjourned by the speaker for the day and will resume tomorrow for further discussion and debate. The resolution is likely to be passed by the Government as it has simple majority.
According to KNS correspondent, meanwhile, the Legislative Council was adjourned today by the Chairman after opposition National Conference and Congress created uproar and the members exchanged heated arguments against one another.
The opposition members went into the Well of the Council and protested against the GST and government.
“The resolution is not clear about safeguards to the special status of the state,” Congress leader G N Monga said, adding the government has already made its mind to extend GST to the state.
“And discussing the GST in the house is a gimmick of the government for maintaining public perception that it has not infringed on Article 370,” Monga said. (KNS)