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J-K Assembly Passes Business Bill as Omar Backs Capitalism
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a new business bill.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the government should help businesses rather than run hotels and other companies itself.
He said he wants private businesses to come to the region and grow.
The bill would make some approvals automatic if officials do not decide within a set time.
It would also allow third-party certification for some projects.
Abdullah said businesses would still have to follow the law.
He said projects could be taken over by the government if they violate legal requirements.
M Y Tarigami disagreed, warning that similar policies had made rich people richer without creating more jobs.
The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed the Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026 during its Autumn session.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said he is an “out-and-out capitalist” and wants private industry to thrive in J-K.
The bill seeks to replace permission-based controls with rule-based governance and automatic approvals in some cases.
The government says the measure will attract investment, generate employment and support long-term economic growth.
CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami opposed the approach, saying similar policies had benefited the rich without increasing employment.
- Who
- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Assembly members and the Jammu and Kashmir government.
- What
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed the Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026.
- Where
- The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly in Srinagar.
- When
- Tuesday, during the Assembly’s Autumn session; the report is dated September 29.
- Why
- The government says the bill will simplify business regulation, attract investment, generate employment and support economic growth.
Supporters of the Bill
Critics of the Bill
Role of government
Supporters of the Bill
Omar Abdullah said the government should provide an enabling environment for businesses rather than run hotels and other businesses itself.
Critics of the Bill
M Y Tarigami criticised the approach based on his view that similar policies had benefited wealthy people without increasing employment.
Private investment
Supporters of the Bill
Abdullah said he wants private industry to come to Jammu and Kashmir and thrive, with fewer barriers for investors.
Critics of the Bill
Tarigami questioned whether such policies would deliver broader employment benefits, citing past experience.
Approvals and oversight
Supporters of the Bill
Supporters said automatic approvals would reduce delays and opportunities for bribery, while third-party certification would help projects proceed.
Critics of the Bill
Abdullah’s assurance acknowledged the concern over unchecked investment by stating that legal violations could lead to a project being taken over by the government.
Key facts
- Bill
- Jammu and Kashmir Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026
- Outcome
- Passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly
- Proposed by
- Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs portfolio
- Main reform
- Replacing permission-based control with rule-based governance
- Automatic approval
- Permissions may be deemed granted if they are not issued within the stipulated time
- Safeguards
- The bill provides for third-party certification and government action against projects violating the law
- Support and criticism
- NC MLA Farooq Shah and BJP MLA PK Gupta supported it, while CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami criticised it
Quotes
Omar Abdullah
Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the bill’s introducing minister
“it is not the government's job to run hotels and other businesses, it only has to provide an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.”
m.rediff.com
“We want to make it easy for investors. We will tell them what they cannot do. Rest, permissions will be granted automatically.”
theprint.in
Sources
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