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Centre rules out dialogue with Kashmiri separatists
KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 5/20/2017 1:19:39 AM
SRINAGAR, May 18: Centre today ruled out any dialogue with separatists in Jammu and Kashmir in near future, saying its priority was to improve the situation in the valley first.
“Our priority is to improve the situation first,” minister for defence and finance Arun Jaitley told reporters here when asked if the Centre had any plans to hold talks with separatist groups like Hurriyat Conference in view of the demand repeatedly made by the BJP’s alliance partner, the PDP. CJ verdict indictment of Pakistan’s judicial mockery: Jaitley
Buoyed by India’s victory at the World Court in Jadhav case, Jaitley launched a scathing attack on Pakistan saying the verdict is an indictment of “mockery” that exists in that country in the name of judicial system.
Calling International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordering Pakistan to halt the execution of former Indian naval officer Kulbhushan Jadhav as vindication of India’s stand, he said secret trials are conspiratorial in nature and denial of consular access emphasised the point.
“This order, though interim, is a very serious indictment of the kind of mockery that exists in Pakistan in the name of judicial system,” he told reporters.
Jaitley said foodgrains, cereals and milk will cost less from July 1 when the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is rolled out as the GST Council today decided to exempt these daily-use commodities from the levy.
Common use products like hair oil, soaps and toothpaste will be charged with a single national sales tax or GST of 18 per cent instead of present 22-24 per cent tax incidence through a combination of Central and State Government levies.
The GST rates for all but six items were finalised at the first day of the two-day meeting here of the GST Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and comprising state representatives.
Milk and curd will continue to be exempt from taxation when the Goods and Service Tax (GST) replaced current indirect taxes. ‘Mithai’ or sweets will attract 5 percent levy.