J&K may miss GST deadline

Goods and Service Tax (GST) may not be rolled out in Jammu and Kashmir on July 1 after the Legislative Assembly was adjourned sine die on the first day of special session without debating the new tax regime.

"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 Government will not push for GST implementation in J&K till the time there is complete consensus on the issue," said Naeem Akhtar, J&K Minister for Public Works.

"Chief Minister 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," he said. The Minister said after apprehensions from traders' community, consumers as well as political parties, the government decided to further deliberate on the issue. "Inputs are welcome from all stakeholders... so as to make it a people-friendly tax reform," he said.

Stating that GST is a good tax reform, Akhtar said the government wants to introduce it with safeguards so as to benefit the state's economy and traders. "With proper safeguards, GST will not endanger the special status of Jammu & Kashmir guaranteed under Article 370 of the Constitution," he said.

The decision to re-look at the tax regime comes after traders and the Opposition vowed not to support the extension of the GST regime to Jammu and Kashmir in its present form. Traders also observed a shutdown as a protest on Saturday.