GSTA resolution was moved in both the houses of the  Jammu and Kashmir, Legislature by the government seeking implementation of GST in the State.

A 3-day special session was convened to debate and pass the resolution.

Finance Minister Dr Haseeb Drabu while introducing the resolution sought consent of the House for adoption of the GST.

Seeking support of the Legislature, Mr.Drabu said the issues of constitutionalism should be debated by lawmakers. The Finance Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has a special place in the Constitution of India, and there is a set procedure for extending Constitutional Amendments to the State.

Mr. Drabu said the Government had called an All-Party Meeting which was followed by three meetings of All Party Consultative Group on GST to evolve a broader consensus.

Earlier, as the state legislative assembly and the council started debating the extension of the new tax regime, acrimonious scenes and pandemonium dominated both the houses. The opposition across the party lines was up in protest.

Opposition parties and Kashmiri businessmen have been opposing the GST, saying it infringes on J&K’s residual political autonomy and its special powers to legislate on financial matters.