Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring statehood, asserting that merely changing legislative wording will not alter J&K’s current status as a Union Territory.
Responding to concerns raised by People’s Conference MLA Sajjad Gani Lone and PDP legislator Waheed ur Rehman Parra over the use of ‘Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir’ in the GST bill, Abdullah emphasized that their focus remains on regaining statehood through parliamentary action.
“In our very first Cabinet meeting, we passed a resolution for statehood restoration and I personally handed it to the Prime Minister. We will not rest until J&K regains its statehood,” he said.
Sajjad Lone staged a walkout in protest, stating that passing the legislation would be an endorsement of J&K’s UT status. However, Abdullah dismissed these concerns, saying, “Whether we like it or not, we are a UT. Simply replacing words will not change reality. The real change will come when Parliament restores our statehood.”
The Assembly ultimately passed the bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act, 2017, bringing online money gaming, casinos, and horse racing under the 28% GST bracket, aligning J&K’s tax policy with the rest of India.
Amendments in GST Act: Key Changes for J&K
The amendments to the Jammu and Kashmir GST Act will bring several industries under new tax regulations:
- 28% GST on online money gaming, casinos, and horse racing.
- Previously: 18% GST on skill-based online games.
- New Rule: 28% GST on total value of gaming transactions.
- Alignment with national policies per the 50th GST Council meeting.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather clarified that these amendments ensure uniformity in taxation across India. PDP MLAs Fayyaz Mir and Waheed ur Rehman Parra raised objections but the bill was passed successfully.
Political Reactions
- Sajjad Lone (People’s Conference): “I don’t want to be part of legitimizing J&K’s UT status.”
- Waheed ur Rehman Parra (PDP): Objected to the wording of the bill.
- Omar Abdullah (CM): “We are a UT for now, but our fight for statehood continues.”
