Srinagar: Raising their concern over the implementation of pan India Goods and Services Tax (GST), the traders on Thursday asked the PDP-BJP government to take stakeholders on board before taking any step in this regard.
Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) led by Haji Muhammad Yasin Khan asked the state government to take stakeholders from the Kashmiri business fraternity onboard before taking any decision on implementation of the controversial GST in J&K.
He warned that the Valley will be dragged towards another agitation if their views are not taken in to consideration.
Muhammad Yasin Khan, a Kashmir based trade leader who heads KTMF and his faction of Kashmir Economic Alliance.
After the recently held two-day conclave on GST in Srinagar which was chaired by Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitely, the government said that the GST would be implemented vide discussion at a special session in the Assembly.
“We want to make it clear to the government that any such decision if taken without taking Kashmir Inc onboard will lead to a major crises and that those at the helm will be responsible for the consequences,” Khan warned.
Khan said that Jammu and Kashmir having a special status vide Article 370 cannot be “forced” to implement any such laws which “hamper” the interests of this state.
“Business community has its own take on the issue and thus such a law cannot be implemented unless the modalities are decided in accordance with the aspirations of the business community,” Khan said adding, “we don’t want another sellout in the garb of GST.”
He asked Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu “not to opt for any discussion in the Assembly unless” various issues are resolved with the business fraternity first.
“No one-sided decision will be acceptable. Aspirations of Kashmir Inc need to be duly endorsed. Let the government not drag Kashmir towards another agitation,” the KTMF chief said.
