Rift within PDP-BJP coalition over police reforms, GST

Differences within the Peoples Democratic Party-Bharatiya Janata Party coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir has once again come to the fore over the issues of police cadre review and implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) Act.

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti left in the middle of a Cabinet meeting in Jammu, on Friday, when Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh insisted that any cadre review of the Kashmir Police Service (KPS) should be taken “only after the consent of the Centre”.

Ms. Mufti had moved a proposal to bring parity among the KPS and Indian Police Services IPS cadres, paving the way for the local police officers to reach the higher posts like the deputy inspector general the inspector general of police without having IPS cadre, especially in non-uniform and non-police posts like vigilance department etc.

“The party’s stand on the issue has been taken by our Deputy Chief Minister in the Cabinet meeting. It’s not a big division. I think it can be resolved at the local level only,” BJP State president Sat Sharma told The Hindu.