Centre needs to do more for JK, before govt formation: Mehbooba Mufti

After meeting the Governor, Peoples Democratic Party​ (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said on Tuesday that Centre needs to do more on Jammu and Kashmir. “Before formation of new J&K government, I want central government to take some confidence building measures for the region,” Mehbooba said, adding, “​The Governor wanted to know where we are on government formation.” She further said, “I don’t have that vision which Mufti sahab had, neither I have the experience right now.” “There is a huge responsibility on us. There is a need to create an environment to infuse confidence,” Mehbooba added. At…

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Chilai Kalaan inflicts grief on last day

A teenage student was killed and two others injured when they were swept by an avalanche in Machhil area of Kupwara district Saturday morning. Today was the last day of ChilaiKalaan, the harshest 40-day period of winter that begins December 21 and ends January 30. The avalanche hit ChuntiwariBalla area of Machil resulting in the on-spot death of 15-year-old Mehrajudin Khan (15) son of Bashir Ahmad of KatwaraMachil. Two other injured boys were immediately taken to Machhil hospital where from they were referred to Sub-district hospital Kupwara for specialized treatment.…

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Mehbooba sought assurance from Delhi on Agenda of Alliance

For the first time, the Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti on Monday revealed to her party legislators here that she has sought an assurance from the Bharatiya Janata Party on “time-bound implementation” of the “Agenda of Alliance” and was awaiting a response from the other side. Chairing the PDP Legislature Party meeting at her Gupkar residence here, Mehbooba recalled her brief meeting with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on January 7 when he flew to Srinagar to condole the demise of her father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. “During the…

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PDP, BJP meeting governor to work on govt formation

Governor, N N Vohra Monday asked PDP and BJP to clarify their stand over government formation following the differences between coalition partners over implementing the commitments in the Agenda of Alliance in a time-bound manner. Sources said the Governor has written to the two parties asking them to clarify their stand on government formation to end the political uncertainty prevailing in the state since the death of former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed on January 7. The state has been under Governor’s rule since January 9 when the proclamation was…

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JKSC, DYSS lock horns over water sports facilities

Two vital departments of the state are involved in a tussle over two sports facilities, Water Sports Centre Nehru Park and Gindun Multi Sports facility. The departments which include Sports Council, Youth Services want the Gindum and the Nehru park Sports Centre under their control. The Commissioner Secretary to Government, Technical Education and YSS department in November, issued an order in November last year directing the facilities to be handed over to the DYSS. However, the facilities continue to be controlled by the Sports Council. While the sports council officials…

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Mehbooba meeting Nirmal Singh before Guv

Peoples Democratic Party President, Mehbooba Mufti is meeting the former deputy chief minister and senior Bharatiya Janta Party leader Nirmal Singh in Jammu on Tuesday before meeting Governor Narendra Nath Vohra at the Rajbhavan. According to sources, Mehbooba would meet the senior leader of the rightwing party before meeting Governor Vohra, who gave a deadline to the two parties to make their positions clear about the government formation in the State. The sources said the PDP President is likely to reiterate her stand to the BJP leader that it would…

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Kashmir valley witnesses sunny day

A bright winter sun greeted people of Kashmir and Ladakh today though the night temperature in the two regions dipped because of the recent snowfall. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, recorded a low of 0°C which is normal for this part of the season but was almost three degrees below from the previous night’s 2.8°C, an official of the Meteorological Department said. Sun shone in the morning providing relief to the people of the city, which witnessed incessant rain in the past few days. The maximum in…

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Will not come under any pressure: BJP on govt formation

After tough talk by PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, BJP on Monday made it clear that it will not come under “any pressure” over government formation in Jammu and Kashmir even as it is committed to the common minimum programme chalked out last year. On the eve of meeting Governor NN Vohra to convey its stand, BJP put the onus of carrying forward the alliance on PDP, saying Mehbooba has to take a call on continuing the roadmap laid by her late father Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Party leaders made the stand…

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Wullar’s voyage from wetland to woodland

World Wetlands Day Approximately 13 tons of solid waste is dumped per day on Wullar banks  Wetlands play an important role in keeping the ecological processes healthy. They support industries such as agriculture, fisheries and tourism by supplying valuable source of water for irrigation and domestic use, fodder for domestic livestock, maintaining water quality, providing habitat for commercial species and having cultural and recreational values. Wetlands host a huge variety of life, protect the coastlines, and provide natural defences (sponges) against river flooding or storm surges and store carbon dioxide…

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We prefer elections to siding with PDP or BJP; Omer

The NC is firm on its stand that it will neither form a government with the BJP nor rescue the PDP by offering a secular alliance. “Although it is an unpleasant choice, we will prefer to go back to the people,” said NC working president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah from Delhi. “Neither the PDP nor BJP has broken the partnership. Since they have the numbers, they should form the government. Even if they want to renegotiate the ‘Agenda of Alliance’, it means there is no change in the…

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