The Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation on Thursday called for Valley-wide shutdown on Saturday against proposed implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that the new tax regime would “erode state’s special powers and fiscal autonomy.”
Addressing a press conference here, president, KTMF, Muhammad Yaseen Khan said implementation of GST will “erode state’s special status” and stressed on complete boycott of the new tax regime in its present form.
“We don’t believe in ‘One India, One Tax’ and stand against it because Kashmir is a disputed territory. We won’t allow its (GST) implementation in Jammu and Kashmir and have therefore called for a Valley-wide shutdown on Saturday (June 17). All traders in tehsils and district headquarters will also hold sit-in protests. The main sit-in will be held at 9.30 am at Lal Chowk, Srinagar. Even Chenab Valley will observe a complete shutdown,” Khan said.
Citing separate constitution and term of Assembly in Jammu and Kashmir, Khan said the traders’ community during their recent meetings with chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and finance minister Haseeb Drabu had asked for “state’s own GST.”
“When we have a separate constitution and a different Assembly term, why can’t we have a special GST?” he asked.
Asked why he met the chief minister and the finance minister to discuss GST recently, Khan said the stand of business community against the new tax law remains firm.
“During our meeting with government representatives, we clearly opposed GST and asked the chief minister and the finance minister to draft state’s own taxation policy. There was definitely room for drafting such a tax regime for the state but some vested interests are not allowing it to happen,” Khan said, without naming anyone.
Khan said a consensus had been evolved among traders of all regions of J&K on opposing the GST.
Taking a dig at PDP-BJP government, Khan said “some forces” in the government are “hell bent upon implementing all rules and laws that (shall) erode state’s special status.”
“We have been opposing GST for several years. We even met finance minister of J&K in the previous government. We have been time and again assured that implementation of GST will not erode special status but that doesn’t seem to be true,” he said.
Khan said the traders’ community has given an “ultimatum” of two weeks to the government to find an alternative to GST. “We are neither with the government nor with the opposition. Our support is for common people of J&K and we are for their interests,” he said.
Again asked why business community got involved in meetings with the state government to discuss GST, Khan said: “Special status of the state comes first and monetary benefits (offered by GST) later.”
Khan refuted allegations that business community has taken a U-turn on GST.
“If we go by numbers, our businesses have remained closed for almost six years in the past 30 years. When we did not bother about all these losses, why should we sacrifice special status of the state for GST and so-called monetary benefits now?” Khan said.
KJBF WARNS GOVERNMENT
Meanwhile, a joint meeting of various trade bodies, including stakeholders associated with tourism, was held under the banner of ‘Kashmir Joint Business Forum’ (KJBF) to discuss the likely “fallout” of adoption of Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in Jammu and Kashmir.
A statement issued by the Forum said the participants vehemently opposed the GST. “Apart from the government, the trade bodies appealed to lawmakers of the state to cut across party lines, think independently and conscientiously and ensure that the fiscal autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir is preserved and not bartered away for petty financial gains or in trying to get some political mileage which belongs to elsewhere,” the statement said.
It said the members of business community have pinned their hopes on lawmakers that they will stand strong for the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir and support the trade and business community.
“The trade bodies also cautioned the government that this move could snowball into a major confrontation. Those present in the meeting were KCCI, CCIK, KHARA, KHAROF, JKHC, KEF, ATOK, TAAK, JKTA, HBOA, DTOAK, PILTOF, ALTOA – Ladakh, KHTA – Kargil, UTAA, GHA, SHA and others,” the statement said.
