Jammu: The replacement of words “Government of Jammu & Kashmir” with “Government of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir” in the State Goods & Services Tax law sparked protests by the Kashmir based opposition legislators in the Assembly on Tuesday, with Peoples Conference president Sajad Gani Lone staging a walkout from the House.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah slammed Sajad Lone for the walkout and added that Jammu & Kashmir would remain a Union Territory until the Parliament restores statehood.
As soon as Omar Abdullah tabled Jammu & Kashmir Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Act 2025 for consideration and passage in the House, Lone stood up and expressed objection to it.
“We are ratifying Union Territory status of J&K through this bill,” Lone claimed. As Lone agitated over the move, the Speaker told him the amendment wouldn’t ratify status and was brought to align J&K’s GST law with Central Goods & Services Tax Act.
“We were not consulted when Article 370 and statehood was snatched from us. Why are we being consulted now to ratify UT status?” Lone asked.
Lone staged a walkout from the House, saying that he wouldn’t be a partner in the “sin” of ratifying UT status to J&K. Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed-Ur- Rehman Para also expressed reservation over the bill.
“You passed resolutions on statehood and Article 370 but now we are ratifying whatever happened to us,” he said.
Sajad stages protest
