BY: Nasir Azam
Srinagar : While starting the implementation of Union Territory Goods and Services Tax (UTGST) law, the administration of the newly carved out Ladakh Union Territory (UT) has empowered officers to implement the law.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh UT has vested powers with officers under the law which is only applicable to Union Territories without legislatures.
“In exercise of powers conferred under section 3 of the Union Territory Goods & Services Tax, Act, 2017, the Lieutenant Governor is pleased to direct that for smooth functioning of the State Taxes Department of Union Territory of Ladakh, the following officers shall exercise the powers vested in the class of officers under the Union Territory Goods and Services Tax, Act, 2017,” an official order reads.
As per the order, commissioner/ secretary Finance Ladakh has been vested with powers of commissioner. He will function as head of department.
The order further states that deputy commissioners of twin districts of Kargil and Leh will function as joint commissioners.
They will be responsible for administration and enforcement, audit and data intelligence recovery under the law. The Sales Tax Officer Ladakh will function as assistant commissioner and will assist the joint commissioners in enforcement activities. It is worthwhile to mention here that UTGST law is applicable in all Union Territories without legislatures. The Union Territories with legislature are governed by their own SGST law.(KNO)
Government re-constitutes advisory boards, governing councils of key institutions in J&K
LG, advisors replace CM, Ministers as chairman of these bodies
Srinagar : In a significant development, the government of Union Territory of J&K on Wednesday re-constituted advisory boards and governing councils of key institutions.
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the General Administration Department today ordered re-constitution of the Board of Directors, Governing Councils and Committees and Advisory Boards of key institutions functioning in J&K.
The GAD re-constituted advisory boards for the Welfare and Development of Scheduled Castes, Pahari Speaking people and Other Backward Classes.
It also re-constituted governing committees and councils for Rehabilitation of widows, orphans, handicapped and old persons (victims of militancy), J&K Child Protection Society, Board of Directors of J&K Women Development Corporation and Social Welfare Advisory Board.
It also re-constituted of Skill Development Mission and its governing council.
As per KNO, the changes in composition of these bodies were effected due to transition of J&K State into a Union Territory on October 31 and absence of elected government in the UT.
According to GAD orders, LG and advisors would be chairmen of these institutions which are headed by Chief Ministers or ministers during elected governments. Administrative secretaries of different departments would also be member of these institutions, the orders reveal.
