Jammu, Nov 29: Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has asked the present coalition government in the state to boost industrial culture.

The economy of the state can only improve when more and more industries come up, Abdullah said addressing a gathering after inaugurating a new Maruti showroom on the outskirts of the city yesterday. He said his government had tried a lot to bring industrialists from outside the state, but no body came forward. "Thus, we must help boost industries ourself and the present government must take it up in the interest of the people of the state."

Abdullah said he had asked his party MLAs and MLCs to help the present government in giving a fillip to industrial promotion. "On my part I will also take up this issue in Parliament," Abdullah, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, said. He asked his son Omar Abdullah, who was present on the occasion, to seek an industrial package for the state.

Earlier, Abdullah told reporters he did not have any differences with any political party as far as the interests of the state were concerned.

Bureau Report