The Industrial Policy laid down in April 1956, bureaucratized the licensing of industries. The all powerful licensing committee composed of representatives of the various central government ministries and the Planning Commission. The representatives of state governments were also invited to these meetings. I had to attend the meetings of the licensing committee in 1964–65 and used to be shocked, every time, by the all-knowing stance and arrogance of the officers. The ‘license-permit raj’ began with this regime. Deservedly or otherwise, one could acquire a licence and sit on it for years
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