Day: January 29, 2016

MLA Rashid alleges curbs, threatens resignation

Editor

Controversial Independent MLA Sheikh Abdul Rashid today alleged curbs on his political activities and sought the intervention of Governor N N Vohra to address his grievances, failing which he threatened to resign from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly and move court. “I have written a letter to the Governor giving details of various instances when police stopped me from carrying out my political activities and humiliated me,” he told reporters. “I am seeking his (Governor’s) intervention in the matter for its immediate redressal. Otherwise I have no option left but…

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Won’t budge on Agenda of Alliance: BJP tells PDP

Editor

• Blames PDP’s ‘internal issues’ for delay in Govt formation • ‘If they come up with demands then negotiations must start afresh’ Suggesting PDP to stick to the Agenda of Alliance, BJP Thursday said it won’t accept any demand seeking change or concessions in the terms of the agreement reached between the two parties last year. Talking to us, senior BJP leader Ramesh Arora said if PDP demands or seeks any concession on agenda of alliance, BJP won’t accept it. “It is better for both the parties to stick to…

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Kashmiri cuisine biggest attraction for tourists: Shah

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JKTDC to organize food festivals across India  Secretary Tourism Farooq A Shah said J&K state is diverse and rich in its culture and cuisine which has international appeal. He said Kashmir’s rich cuisine has international appeal and to further promote it JKTDC would organize food festivals across India. He was giving details of recently organised food festival during Bharat Parvah organised by Ministry of Tourism GoI on the back ramp pads of reds fort during the republic day which saw the participation of all the states of India including the…

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‘Valley produces surplus milk’

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No facility to convert surplus quantity into its other products: Animal Husbandry  Kashmir total milk production in the last financial year of 2014-15 reached 1306.23 metric tons against the target of 1362.00 metric tons which according to Animal Husbandry department is still surplus. “We produce milk in surplus of Indian Council of Medical Research recommendations of 230ml to 250ml per capita,” said Technical Officer General at Animal Husbandry department, Dr Anjum Andrabi. He, however, said there is no facility in Valley or with farmers to convert surplus milk into other…

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JK’s ‘over dependence’ on paramilitary forces a drain on exchequer

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The deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPMFs) in J&K is set to take a toll on its cash-starved economy, with the forces seeking money from the State for providing their “assistance.” Official documents in possession of KP reveal that the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)—the paramilitary force falling under the jurisdiction of Union Ministry of Home Affairs—has charged J&K Rs 7.68 crore for utilizing services of its men in maintaining internal security in the State. In a communiqué (NO.11/28014/ITBP/IS. duty/Dep.Charges/Service Tax/2015-16,Dated, September 4, 2015) , the Directorate General of ITBP has…

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It’s official: Flood-affected traders won’t get any compensation

Editor

The flood-affected traders and businessmen in Kashmir—who suffered huge losses in the September-2014 floods—won’t be getting any compensation as promised to them by the central and state government from time to time. Official sources disclosed to KP that the Government of India has decided against rehabilitating the flood-hit traders and provide interest subvention instead of any compensation. “After studying the contours of Rs 80000-crore package announced by the Prime Minister NarendraModi in Srinagar last year, it has come to the fore the Rs 800 crore earmarked for the business losses will…

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Woman IAS officer allegedly slaps contractor in Jammu

Editor

An IAS officer has landed into a controversy after she allegedly slapped a protesting contractor, misbehaved with media persons and snatched the camera of a video journalist who was covering the protest here. The Commissioner of Jammu Municipal Corporation and IAS officer Mandeep Kour allegedly slapped Sanjay Kumar who was protesting the “unlawful cancellation” of his parking contract by her yesterday. Defending her actions, the Municipal commissioner said that she did that because she was being videographed without her permission. “And fyi (for your information) the contractor was not slapped…

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Sahai flags off ‘Apna Watan Jano’ tour

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Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Armed, J&K, SM Sahai today flagged off a group of 100 students participating in “Apna Watan Jano” tour organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police under its Civic Action Programme (CAP). The flag-off ceremony of the tour was organised at the Armed Police Headquarters at Gulshan Ground in Jammu. Speaking on the occasion, ADGP, Armed, SM Sahai said, “The seven-day-long Apna Watan Jano tour has been organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Police to familiarise the youth of the state with rich and diverse…

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Delhi HC adjourns plea against Article 370 till March 16

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The Delhi High Court adjourned till March 16 the hearing on a petition challenging the validity of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir. As the hearing of the case started before a division bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath, the counsel for the territory, GM Kawoosa, submitted that the petitioner had not served a copy of the additional affidavit to him. Subsequently, the court adjourned the case till March 16 with a direction to the petitioner to serve…

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Shikaras in troubled waters

Editor

Owner struggle to make ends meet While Shikaras represent pristine beauty of Kashmir on magazine covers, tourist guides and picture postcards, their owners struggle to make ends meet. “For a Shakara waala, it’s very hard to make his ends meet, especially during winters when the influx of tourists is at its lowest,” said Ghulam Muhammad (70), a Shikara owner from Abi- Nowpora. “We start our day at 10 in the morning and wait for a customer. Sometimes even days go by without earning anything. We can hardly earn two square…

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