Reconsider decision on withdrawal of Excise exemption: Farooq

Jammu, Mar 31 (UNI) Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah today said the Union Government should reconsider its decision regarding the virtual withdrawal of Central Excise exemption by the Ministry of Finance.

Interacting with a deputation of Federation of Industries here today, he said the industrial package for the State was brought with a great effort of the then government with the continuous support of National Conference president Omar Abdullah, who was the then Union Minister for Trade and Commerce.

'' The benefits of that industrial package were initially frittered away by passing on the same to the state of Uttranchal and states in North East and it was the first blow to the industrial development of the state of Jammu and Kashmir,'' the NC patron said.

Jammu and Kashmir, which is reeling under a spell of unemployment and lack of development, would face a serious setback if the notification was not withdrawn immediately, he asserted, saying, ''on the one side government is promising more avenues for employment and its generation and on the other hand such notifications contradict the spirit which is much hyped and proclaimed by the present government.'' Dr Abdullah said all those who are interested in the welfare of the people and genuinely concerned about the unemployment should rise above party lines and unitedly take it up with the Union Government and ensure that this notification is immediately withdrawn.

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