Jammu- The first legislation brought by the NC-led government in the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly triggered protests from Kashmir-based opposition, with Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone accusing the government of endorsing UT Status of J&K.
As Omar Abdullah tabled Jammu & Kashmir Goods and Services (Amendment) Act-2025 in the House, Lone stood up and objected to the legislation.
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.
“It would be an endorsement of conversion of Jammu & Kashmir into a UT. I wouldn’t be part of this sin,” Lone said angrily and walked out.
PDP’s Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also expressed reservation over the bill.
In the amendments proposed by NC-led government in the GST law, the words “Government of Jammu & Kashmir” has been replaced with “Government of Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.”
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.
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