Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 15: While Kashmiri leaders of all hues, including from the PDP, are opposing in one voice the new industrial policy and pitching for its review so that no-non-state subject industrialist is allowed to set up industries anywhere in the state outside the existing industrial states, the BJP, which is part of the ruling coalition, is speaking in two voices.
According to the new industrial policy, which was approved by the State Council headed by the state governor, non-state subjects industrials could invest in the state and set up industries outside the industrial states, on lands leased to them for 40 years, extendable up to 90 years. The new industrial policy, if implemented, will create 1,50,000 jobs and the non-state subject industrials will invest in the state Rs 20,000 crore.
All the Kashmiri leaders, including separatists, are opposing the policy on the ground that it has the potential of changing the demography of the state, eroding the state's special status and marring the interests of the locals.
Paradoxically, the "nationalist" BJP is a divided house. While Minister for Industry and Commerce has not said a word in favour or against the new industrial policy, while senior BJP minister and BJP senior leaders have aired contradictory views.
The senior BJP Minister has played safe and is talking like Education Minister.
The BJP senior minister said, "The new industrial policy will be reviewed in the interest of the people of J&K",
While the senior BJP leader, who holds an important party post has pitched for the new industrial policy. He has said that "if the valley wants development, the entry of big industrialists of India is inevitable as they only can invest and bring development in Kashmir". "No non-state subject industrialist was to given the exclusive propriety rights as per the industrial policy," he has said.
It is strange that the man in-charge of Industries and Commerce has chosen not say anything about the New Industrial Policy.
In any case, it is clear that the BJP is not only a divided house but it is also no more than a B-team of the PDP whose only job in the government is toe the Kashmiri line and drive the state away from India inch by inch. It is unfortunate - unfortunate because the BJP is exploiting to the hilt the Jammu mandate to kill Jammu and harm the nation. |
