MUMBAI, January 3: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday invited Mumbai industrialists to invest in his state which has become fairly a safe place to do business. Addressing a meeting jointly organised by Indian Merchant's Chamber (IMC), Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Abdulla announced that a comprehensive industrial policy with a thrust on development of power, infrastructure, tourism, mineral sector and hotel will be released after ensuing general elections. "Don't wait till the last gun is silenced," he told the business community.He said that his government has planned to set up industrial parks, a software technology park, a food processing park, a textile city, a gem and jewellery development park and sports equipment production park. The state has also decided to modernise the traditional skills found abundantly in the state by availing technical aid from countries like Canada, Sweden and
Switzerland. ``To my state, investments from my motherland will hold more weight than foreign investments,'' said the National Conference chief.``Please put filters to whatever you read and hear about the firing near the borders. Kupwara is over 100 kilometers away from Srinagar,'' he said adding that bombs explode even in New Delhi, but that has not kept people away from the capital. ``There are problems even in London from the IRA.''
``Why do all companies hold meetings in Goa and Khatmandu and not in Srinagar?'' he asked. Making a strong pitch to attract businessmen to the state, he said ``We provide convention centres and other facilites at attractive rates.'' The cabinet sub-committee was drafting a new long term industrial policy for the state. ``The policy will be unveiled only after the elections,'' he added. Abdullah said that J&K will become power surplus state with the addition of 7,000 MW in 7 years, adding that the government would privatise loss making public undertakings.
J&K chief minister
strongly advocated the need for a stable government with strong prime minister to lead the country. "The prime minister should not be with religious overtones as India is multi religious country," he said without naming any parties. Welcoming Somina Gandhi's decision to campaign for the congress party he said that it has sent shock waves in the BJP camp which was making loud claims of forming the government at the centre. "I am very happy that with Sonia's entry the congress which was disintegrating will strengthen its position," he added.
He strongly attacked BJP's election plank of abolition of article 370 thereby withdrawing special status given to the J&K in the Indian Constitution. "Are we not part of India despite this status?" he querried. Abdullah made it clear that J&K was an inalienable part of India and would continue in future also. He pooh-poohed Pakistan for making Kashmir as a core issue and reiterated that there can be nothing other than part of India.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
