Kashmir Traders Manufacturing Federation (KTMF) led by Muhammad Yasin Khan on Thursday called for Kashmir Bandh on Jun 17 against the government’s ‘imminent decision’ of implementing Goods and Service Tax (GST) in the state Jammu and Kashmir.The KTMF also called for a sit-in at Lal Chowk on Jun 17.According to KNS Correspondent, addressing a news conference here at KTMF office in the commercial Hub Lal Chowk, KTMF president, Muhammad Yasin Khan said, “The government’s theory GST theory, one tax one India is unacceptable to us. We won’t allow the government to implement the Indian law in the state at any cost as the Jammu and Kashmir is a disputed territory and is enjoying its own constitution and powers.”He said that the GST implementation is aimed to infringe the special status of JK. “We are against the government move and will oppose it tooth and nail,” he said.Khan said that the implementation of GST in the state would affect the business community here and it would certainly deteriorate the situation.
While reacting to the statements made by Finance Minister, Hasseb A Drabu, KTMF president said that he had assure that GST implementation wouldn’t infringe the special status of JK but “we in a meeting suggested the state government to implement the state’s own GST law without New Delhi’s intervention.”He said that some ‘black sheep’s’ in the current regime are trying every bid to implement the GST in the state.Khan said that it has now been decided to observe complete shutdown on Jun 17 (Saturday) to protest against the government’s imminent decision of implementing the GST in the state.“We will also hold sit-in in the afternoon on Jun 17,” he said, adding that the Chenab Valley will also observe shutdown in this regard. Pertinently, the state government has convened a special session of assembly on Jun 17 to pave way for the implementation of the GST. (KNS)