Srinagar

The presidential constitutional amendment order is likely to be issued tonight, official sources said. This will pave way for mandatory legislation of the state GST law under the state constitution on Friday and the new tax regime will be enforced in the state later Friday night.

Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu responding to the debate on GST resolution in state assembly on July 5, 2017. Photo: J&K Government

The GST enforcement in the state will end the uncertainty in the overall business of the state. For the last few days, the trade between J&K and the rest of India has nosedived, phenomenally.

Sources said the basic draft of the presidential order set by the J&K government has been cleared by various related ministries in the central government and sent to the President of India. The order is expectedly being issued any time, tonight.

“The order will detail the relevant constitutional position, upholding the Article 370 and section 5 of the state constitution,” sources privy of the development said. “You will see how this order, unlike all earlier constitutional amendment orders, is upholding the state’s exclusivity in the Indian federation.” The source did not offer many details.

Earlier, speaking in the twin houses of the state legislature, the Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu insisted that the order, to be issued by the President, will be issued under Article 370, will uphold the significance of the Section 5 of the Constitution of J&K, will give state representative the unbridled powers in the GST Council and strengthen the state’s position within section 246 of the Constitution of India. The order, it is expected, will detail all these provisions.

“It will be a special GST but not a separate GST,” Drabu earlier said. “It will protect the autonomy we have and will strengthen it further.”

 

 

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here