GST at the cost of special status unacceptable: NC

Srinagar, Jun 14: National Conference (NC) on Wednesday said that the implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) at the cost of special status and fiscal autonomy is unacceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to KNS correspondent, addressing a presser here at local hotel, former finance minister, Abdul Rahim Rather said, “Our party would oppose the implementation of GST in the Jammu and Kashmir if it infringes the special status and fiscal autonomy of the state.”
He said that they as opposition in yesterday’s all party meeting urged the government to ensure the safety of special status and fiscal autonomy of the state. “The implementation of this law at the cost of special status and fiscal autonomy is unacceptable to the JK people,” he said.
Rather who was flanked by NC Provisional President, Nasir Aslam Wani and Party spokesman, Junaid Ahmad Matoo said that they have currently deciding the future strategy to fight against the government’s ‘imminent decision’ for the sake of people.
“Earlier, we warned government about the consequences of its implementation and urged them to take all the parties on board over the issue,” he said, adding that
He also lashed out at Finance Minister Dr Haseeb A Drabu for claiming that the GST implementation wouldn’t infringe special status of JK. “I am unable to understand that how come the Finance Minister can safeguard the special status of the state after implementing this law,” he said.
Rather said that the public should have been aware almost two years before implementing the law but the government has failed to do so and are informing people in the ending hours. (KNS)