Patna, May 28: The government today withdrew invitations to three of five industry bodies functioning in Bihar for Udyami Panchayat, purportedly in apprehension of the representatives raising the state's law and order condition.

State representatives of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Confederation of Indian Industry and PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry were sent invites (like the past years) for the industry department event on May 30 around 10 days ago. The entrepreneurs' meet is being held to discuss the new industrial policy, which is being drafted and expected to come into effect later this year. The three organisations received withdrawal letters today, mentioning that the "the invitation was sent by mistake".

"I am both surprised and disappointed with the development because it defeats the purpose of the Udyami Panchayat," said Indian Chamber of Commerce-Bihar resident director Kamal Sahi.

Government sources said the decision was taken at the ministerial level. "I am in Mumbai now and have no idea about it (withdrawal of invitations)," said principal secretary, industries, S. Siddharth.

Invitations to two Bihar industry bodies - Bihar Industries Association and Bihar Chamber of Commerce and Industries - have not been withdrawn. "We were actually considering raising issues related to the spurt in crime incidents and criminals targeting entrepreneurs and businessmen," said a senior member of one of the organisations whose invite was cancelled. "It seems the organisers of the event got wind of it."

The opposition also criticised the decision with BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi calling it a step in the backward direction for industrial development.