Jammu Tawi, June 25 (KIP):-Confusing signals keep up emerging in Jammu and
Kashmir as far as implementation of the GST regime is concerned.
Reports said that the BJP is keen to get the central law adopted in
the state through issuing ordinance.
If the PDP-BJP Government implemented the GST regime through
an ordinance what will be the difference between this regime and the
previous National Conference led Governments? Not much. This is so
because the Finance Minister, Haseeb Drabu, had blamed the previous NC
Governments to have extended central laws to the state through
ordinances while the PDP-BJP Government wanted to seek approval from
the state legislature.
Another report said that the government has started Goods and
Services Tax (GST) registration for businessmen and traders on the
official website of Commercial Taxes Department even as the draft bill
of the law is yet to be tabled before the state assembly and the
all-party panel constituted by the government is yet to meet.
The website features ‘GST corner' for a subject which as per
legislative norms isn't even an act or law as it hasn't been tabled or
passed by the state legislature. It has raised eyebrows because it is
in contravention with the departmental norms to start registration
under a proposed law which is still stuck in the debate phase.
The e-registration link leads to registration for GST and a link to a
form ‘ST-5' which seeks basic details of the person registering for
GST along with the basic details of the business he/she wishes to get
registered under the GST regime slated to start from July 1st
throughout India except J&K.
No doubt the BJP wants the PDP to take a hasty step for
implementing the GST regime but there is no indication that the BJP
may snap ties with the PDP over delay in extending the central law.
This has been cleared by the Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh. Amusingly, on
the other hand, Jitendra Singh, Union Minister has ridiculed the
Congress and the NC for having forced the coalition Government to
delay extending the central law. Jitendra Singh has said that the
Congress and the NC were harming the interests of people because
whenever the GST regime is implemented it would make traders to sell
goods at cheaper rates.
