JKCC seeks withdrawal of Presidential Order on GST

Tribune News Service

Advertisement

Srinagar, July 12

The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC) today sought withdrawal of the Presidential Order on goods and services tax (GST) and threatened to launch an agitation in case their demand was not met.

Addressing a press conference here, JKCC convener Siraj Ahmad demanded withdrawal of the order, rollback of the GST law passed in the Legislature and declaration of J&K as free economic zone.

The JKCC had been recently formed by various trade and industrial organisations along with civil society groups to oppose the implementation of the GST in the state.

“In the event of government not acceding to our demands within a week, the JKCC will be forced to continue its agitation and shall intensify it across the state at all levels till our demands are met,” Ahmad said.

He claimed that through the extension of the GST, the government had surrendered the power to pursue its own fiscal policy and the Legislature and state Cabinet had been reduced to zero on financial matters.

“The absolute powers on taxation have been surrendered to the GST council. J&K had absolute powers to tax services by its own law. This exclusive authority has also been surrendered. J&K has been reduced to dependence from that of autonomy. We have lost greatly politically, hence constitutionally. This is the 47th deceit inflicted upon the people of J&K and is the last nail in the coffin of financial autonomy,” he added.

Ahmad said the observations had been made after the JKCC members held a series of meetings in order to analyse the Presidential Order.