Refuting the allegations leveled by the PDP against National Conference for making direct amendments to the Constitution of the state, National Conference Friday said PDP might know when did the amendments were extended.Talking to KNS, NC General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar said that during the rule of the party no amendment took place to the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir.“No such amendment to the constitution of Jammu and Kashmir took place during our government. PDP only knows when did those amendments took place,” Sagar, who is also legislator from Khanyar, told KNS.The state is roiled in fresh controversy over the extension of central Goods and Services Tax to the state, with Opposition, traders and separatists opposing the implementation saying that the extension will erode fiscal and constitutional autonomy of the state.
The PDP led government has called for a Special Session of Assembly on GST from June 17, saying the decision to hold a debate in the assembly to bring necessary amendments and modifications will happen for the first time in the state.Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu said never before in the history of J&K has the extension of a Constitutional Amendment of the Constitution of India to J&K been taken to the State Assembly for deliberations.“Around 46 amendments have been extended through presidential order to J&K which have gradually eroded the state’s special constitutional position,” he said, adding: “While it is true that J&K Constitution gives us comprehensive legislative powers, the core of our special position is the powers of the Legislative Assembly. It is this institution of legislature that we are seeking to re-empower as it has been diluted over a period of time.” (KNS)