Jammu, Mar 25 (KNO): 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, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 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.
Responding to the opposition's objections, CM Omar Abdullah accused them of playing to galleries and said that Jammu & Kashmir would remain a UT until Parliament restores its statehood.
"It is unfortunate that we are doing everything as per WhatsApp University. This WhatsApp forward received by my colleague (Para) was also received by all of us. An impression is being created through this WhatsApp message that J&K will convert into a UT if this bill is passed," CM Omar said.
He questioned Lone why he didn't stage a walkout when he repeatedly mentioned "consolidated fund of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir" during passage of Appropriation Bills.
"When we passed the Finance bill, I repeatedly mentioned 'Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir' regarding consolidated funds. Why didn't Sajad Lone Sahab stage a walkout then? All of us took oath under the Union Territory and fought elections under it. Would anything change if we would expunge the word 'UT' from the bill? It wouldn't change anything," CM Omar said, accusing the opposition of show off for cameras and said that it wouldn't change anything.
Omar said that he is vigorously fighting for restoration of J&K's statehood. "We passed a resolution in the first cabinet meeting and submitted it to the Prime Minister," he said, adding that he also raised the demand of statehood with the Prime Minister during a function at Sonamarg.
He added that he raises the demand for restoration of Statehood whenever he goes to Delhi—(KNO)