Jammu: Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu today sought implementation of Goods and Service Tax for smooth transact of the business in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. “The State Government shall implement GST from July 1 as it was not practically possible to transact business without implementation of GST thereafter,” Rakesh Gupta, CCI President here told reporters. He said that why the Government of Jammu and Kashmir as well as the politicians in opposition and the separatists do not understand that how could be business possible without GST and who shall be responsible for the shortage of essential supplies as well as the hike in prices of everyday commodities due to double taxation. “All the politicians whether in main stream or in separatists politics not to confuse the situation if they cannot help it otherwise it will be total confusion and chaos in the state soon which is already in turmoil and more so GST is a pure taxation reform which has nothing to do with the constitution of J&K and also it is the first time that all the states of India have been granted financial autonomy by this federal system of GST,’’ said the Jammu CCI Chief. Thanking Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for expressing concern for implementation of GST by sending a communication to the Chief Minister J&K Mehbooba Mufti, he said, “we warns the so called and self styled leaders posing themselves as leaders of trade and industry to desist from making any statements as they are not aware about the ground realities in this sensitive state’’. He said that the Chamber has been assured by the State Finance Minister that the existing safeguards for the protection and prosperity of trade and industry shall be discussed and will be kept in mind while implementing GST. “The Chamber is exercising restraint and not acting in any such manner which will affect the law and order situation that will affect the Amarnath Yatra that will commencing the day after,” he asserted.
