Reiterating that the constitutional amendment regarding GST does not apply to J&K suo-moto, Minster for Public Works Naeem Akhtar today said that GST is a good tax reform which will be taken up for implementation in J&K only after arriving at consensus through broad-based consultation process.“Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti had called an All Party Meeting ahead of the special session of legislature to take the viewpoint of the people’s representatives and seek their suggestions regarding implementation of GST in the State,” Naeem Akhtar told reporters here today.The Minister said that after multiple apprehensions came forth ahead of the special session of the legislature from trade community, consumers as well as political parties, the government decided to further deliberate on the issue to ensure ample safeguards are put in place to clear the public misgivings.
For this, an All Party Panel has been constituted to take suggestions, viewpoint and inputs from all stakeholders so that interests of the consumers can be protected, the Minister said adding that the “Government will not push for GST implementation in JK till the time there is complete consensus on the issue”.He further said that inputs are welcome from all stakeholders including so that the government can work towards resolving those concerns besides strengthening the reform so that it becomes a people friendly tax reform and there is a consensus in the State regarding the same.“Government is willing to introduce GST in the state with ample safeguards as this tax reform will be beneficial for the state economy and traders. With proper safeguards, GST will not endanger the special status of Jammu & Kashmir granted to it by constitution of India under Article 370”, the Minister said.Responding to the queries raised by the journalists, the Minister said that there will be effective consultation process which will surely help the government to come up with an overall better and consumer friendly GST.