Industrial Policy amendment: J-K Council asks govt to make

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council today directed the state government to make a statement over the roll back of a controversial clause in the New Industrial Policy after members from Opposition sought clarification on the issue.
The government yesterday ordered modification of Industrial Policy-2016 with the deletion of the controversial clause which allowed non-state subjects to get land on lease in the state for setting up industrial units.
As soon as the House met this morning, Congress MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga raised the issue and asked whether government succumbed to the pressure of separatists who had been demanding roll back of the policy.

"Government should issue a statement in the House and cite the reasons behind the amendment. We want to know is it because of separatists pressure," he said.
Council Chairman Anayat Ali asked Monga to sit and let Question Hour function.
After the Question Hour was over, Monga, along with his party colleagues and National Conference legislators, once again raised the issue.

The Opposition members created uproar and accused government of succumbing to the pressure of the separatists.
Amid noisy scenes, the Chairman of the Upper House directed the state government to make the statement in the House tomorrow regarding the amendments to the Policy.

Meanwhile, cutting across party lines, the legislators lashed at the government over the lack of facilities to them.
BJP lawmaker Ramesh Arora said there is no place in the Legislature complex where the members could sit after the proceedings.
"Even a fourth class employee has a place in his office where he can sit. What is the provision for our sitting place?" he asked.
Arora was supported by all members from the Opposition and the ruling parties.
The House members demanded constitution of a House Committee to look into the grievances.
The Chairman urged the government to look into the matter and after which Education Minister Naeem Akhtar made a brief statement, saying the concern of the legislators was genuine and they must have a lobby where they could sit.

"We will look into the matter," he added.