GST rollout finds support in Jammu

Tribune News Service

Jammu, June 21

Amid raging controversy over extension of the goods and services tax (GST) to J&K, the Chamber of Traders’ Federation today backed the Centre’s move to implement the new tax regime across the country from midnight of June 30.

The frontline organisation of traders in the Jammu region asked the political class as well as traders from the Kashmir valley to refrain from mixing political issues with economy of the state, saying, “it will be detrimental for overall growth of the state.”

The federation also asked the ruling alliance partner, BJP, to either get the GST implemented in J&K or come out of the government for the larger interests of the trading community.

“The federation unequivocally welcomes and supports the introduction of the GST at the all-India level, including our state, irrespective of the questionable stand taken by the Kashmir-centric parties in the garb of fiscal autonomy and special status. The trading community in Jammu takes pride in connecting itself with the streamlining of fiscal mess created by plethora of taxes,” Neeraj Anand, president, Chamber of Traders’ Federation, told reporters here.

Flanked by representatives from different trade bodies, Anand regretted the state government had adopted dilly-dallying tactics over the GST implementation instead of addressing and finding out a solution to the basic problems confronting the tax rollout in the state.

The Kashmir-based politicians and separatist groups have opposed the extension of the GST to J&K in its present form. The new tax system cannot be implemented directly in J&K by virtue of its special status under Article 370.

“We will not look towards Kashmir. We will watch the national interest which is supreme for us. The uncertainty on the part of the state government to implement it from the scheduled date has put the business community in utter confusion. The government does not have valid explanation for dragging its feet over the GST rollout in J&K,” he said.

Making a scathing attack on the BJP, Anand said, “The BJP is acting subordinate to the PDP and it has so far failed to come up to the expectation of traders. The business community has been left in the lurch after the failure of the BJP to take a tough stand on it in the J&K Assembly.”

“Rather than waiting for approval of a few disgruntled elements and parties, the government should have consulted the real representatives of the business community. Therefore, if a clear decision is not taken in a day or two, traders will have no option other than to down their shutters. Agitational approach by thousands of small traders remains the last resort,” he said.