Business

Valley traders hold sit-in against GST, detained by police

Never applied for a GSTIN, Drabu trying to create a wedge in order to achieve his sinister motives: Khan

Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) led by its president Mohammad Yaseen Khan held a sit-in at the City Centre Lal Chowk in opposition of GST roll-out in the state.

Various district presidents of KTMF were also present, holding banners and placards with slogans written in opposition of GST implementation in the state.

Protesters assembled at the spot around 11:45 around the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Srinagar and raised slogans in opposition of the GST and the present dispensation.

Speaking to FreePressKashmir Khan said, “We have assembled here only for a single reason and that is to oppose the implementation of GST in the state in its present form. We completely oppose one tax regime.”

He further added, “We won’t allow them (government) to dilute the special status of J&K. One Tax, One India is not acceptable in our state. Their (GoI) law won’t be implemented here,” said Khan.

“We have our own law, identity and let us have our own GST. We are special,” Khan said.

Meanwhile, the protesters started marching towards the press colony around 12.15 pm however they were stopped by a huge contingent of Police on their way.

Khan along with some of his colleagues were taken to the police station, Kothibagh.

Meanwhile, a couple of Jammu based newspapers alleged that Khan, who is spearheading the protests against the GST has already registered his firm ‘Fashion Treasure’ under the new tax regime.

The reports said that he has already received his new GSTIN and has migrated from VAT to GST.

However Khan, who is also the Chairman of Kashmir Economic Alliance clarified that the number being circulated has been generated by the government itself, as has been done in thousand other cases.

He said that the Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu is trying to create a ‘wedge’ between the business communities in order to meet his ‘sinister motives’.

“The number which is being circulated in the media has been generated by the state government itself, as has been done in the case of thousands of other traders of Kashmir who have a commercial tax number, but never applied for GST,” Khan said in a statement.

The statement added, “This is a sinister move of the government to discredit us. I have not applied for GST anywhere and if it’s proved that I applied for any such number, I will quit business and the business fraternity forever.”

Khan also appealed to the civil society to come forward for a joint strategy to counter the sinister moves of the present dispensation.

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