Srinagar, July 7 (KNS): Amid boycott by Opposition parties, the government today said the Presidential Order issued by President of India on extension of Goods and Services Tax (GST) to the state has safeguards for the special status of the state and taxing powers.
Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu while reading from the Presidential Order he said the powers of the State under Section 5 of Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.
"The Law (GST) will come into effect in Jammu and Kashmir from this midnight,” Drabu told the House, as he enumerated the safeguards continued in the presidential order that paved way for economic integration of the state with Union of India.
“Notwithstanding anything contained in this Order, the powers of the state of Jammu and Kashmir as per section 5 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir shall remain intact.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel” Drabu read from the presidential order amid applauses by Treasury bench.
However, the Order was read in absence of the Opposition National Conference, which boycotted the session today and Congress that staged a walk out, saying that GST is "subterfuge".
Two independent legislators, Hakeem Yaseen and M Y Tarigami also walked out of the House as a protest.
Drabu laid SGST bill in the house which was also passed with voice vote and in absence of Opposition.
Also, Deputy CM Nirmal Singh, who is also Urban Development minister, laid the bill for amendment of Civic laws which was passed by voice vote.
Later, Speaker assembly Kavinder Gupta adjourned the House sine die. (KNS)