J&K Council Chairman asks govt to make statement over rollback

Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council Chairman Anayat Ali today directed the government to make a statement over the rollback of a controversial clause in the New Industrial Policy after opposition members sought a clarification on the issue.
As soon as the House assembled, Congress MLC Ghulam Nabi Monga raised the issue, asking whether the government succumbed to pressure from separatists who had been demanding a roll back of the policy.
"The government should issue a statement and give reasons for the amendment. We want to know if it is due to pressure from separatists?" he asked.
The Chairman asked Monga to sit down and let the Question Hour continue. After the Question Hour was over, the Congress member, along with his party colleagues and National Conference legislators, once again raised the issue.

The opposition members created uproar. Amid a ruckus, the Chairman directed the state government to make the statement in the House tomorrow regarding the amendments to the policy.
The government had yesterday ordered modification of Industrial Policy-2016 with the deletion of a controversial clause which allowed non-state subjects to get land on lease in the state for setting up industrial units.

Meanwhile, the members of the House criticised the government citing lack of facilities.
BJP's Ramesh Arora said there is no place in the legislature's complex where the members could sit after the proceedings. He was supported by all members from opposition and the ruling parties.

The legislators demanded that a a House Committee be set up to look into the grievances.
The Chairman urged the state government to look into the matter. Soon after Education Minister Naeem Akhtar made a statement, saying "the members' concern was genuine and they must have a lobby where they could sit. We will look into the matter".