Day: April 29, 2016

PDC apathy limits Lower Jhelum’s power generating capacity

Editor

Despite provision for installation of fourth unit at the state-owned Lower Jhelum Hydro-power Project (LJHP) at Gantmulla here, the State Power Development Corporation (PDC) has failed to enhance its electricity generation capacity, resulting in loss of around 1500 lakh units of energy annually. Commissioned in 1977-78, with a generation capacity of 105 MW, the LJHP, according to reports, was designed in such a way that a fourth unit could be added to it to increase its capacity by 35 MW. However, despite passing of nearly four decades, the PDC has…

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JK has only two outdated food-testing labs, HC told

Editor

With the state authorities admitting that the only two food testing laboratories in the state are completely outdated, with most of the installed equipment dysfunctional, the J&K High Court has observed that the report filed by the authorities concerned is sufficient to indicate that the people of the state have been left at the mercy of the God. The HC has sought personal appearance of the state Chief Secretary and other officials, including the Commissioner Secretary, Health and Food, Commissioner, Food Safety, and the Financial Commissioner, Finance and Planning Department,…

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Govt not stumped as cricket glorifies ultras

Editor

As long as Kashmiris play with bats and not guns, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sees no problem in a cricket league that glorified young militant commanders by naming teams after them. The controversial cricket league, which concluded recently in south Kashmir, was organised in memory of Khalid Muzaffar Wani, the slain brother of Burhan Wani, Hizbul Mujahideen commander, who has become a new face of militancy in Kashmir. Of the 16 participating teams, three — ‘Burhan Lions’, ‘Khalid Aryans’ and ‘Aabid Khan Qalandars’ — were named after young…

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High Court seeks compliance of Food Safety Law

Editor

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Thursday directed owners of food manufacturing and processing units to file affidavits indicating the manner in which they follow provisions of Jammu and Kashmir Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. Hearing a Public Interest Litigation against food adulteration, a division bench comprising Justice MuzaffarHussain Attar and Justice Ali Muhammad Magrey also directed the owners of food processing units to file affidavits indicating that the food items they supply in the market are fit for human consumption. While the bench directed the owners/MDs of…

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Flower growers turn to Mehbooba for support

Editor

Expressing concern over failure of successive state government to help farmers associated with floriculture, the Flower Growers Association today demanded that the state should extend support to cultivators as it could create employment avenues for youth. Association president Tajinder Singh, while welcoming the announcement by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti of expanding the commercial floriculture in the state, said it could create employment for thousands of youth and generate revenue worth crores of rupees. Tajinder Singh said the exploring potential of international market should be the aim of the government and…

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Health Dept steps in to check milk adulteration in Jammu

Editor

Sets up nakas at entry points of city to prevent supply of poor-quality milk As the urban local bodies across the state have failed to check milk adulteration, the Health Department has decided to launch a comprehensive campaign to check supply of poor-quality milk to the residents of the state. The Health Department has decided to set up nakas at various places across the state to ensure that only unadulterated milk is supplied to people. The Health Department has taken the initiative following directions of Health Minister Bali Bhagat, who…

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Haft Chinar traders observe shutdown against traffic diversion

Editor

Traders of Haft Chinar on Thursday observed a shutdown against the traffic diversion on the route saying it has affected their business. A large number of shopkeepers observed a shutdown in the area against the traffic diversion due to construction of Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover. The shopkeepers later held protest in the area and later gathered at Press Enclave here to press for their rehabilitation. The protesting traders claimed that the suspension of the traffic on the said route has hit their business. Later, a group of traders and shopkeepers from…

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Guv reviews Amarnath yatra arrangements

Editor

Governor NN Vohra, who is chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), visited Yatri Niwas at Bhagwati Nagar here today to meet all officers concerned and review arrangements being made for this year’s Amarnath yatra. The yatra will commence on July 2 along Baltal and Chandanwari routes. Addressing a meeting of officers held at Yatri Niwas, the Governor reviewed various arrangements for the yatra from Lakhanpur check post onwards, including reception of yatris at the railway station and bus stand and requirements of accommodation, water, power, food, hygiene and…

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Harnessing power potential key to Kashmir’s economic rebound : CM

Editor

Asserting that electric power is the key for a rebound of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Thursday said the identified 15,000 MW potential of the state needs to be harnessed. Chairing a meeting of top officials of the state power development department (PDD) here, Mufti said they “should devise a comprehensive roadmap in view of the distress in power generation, transmission and distribution systems so that quality power supply is ensured to the consumers”. She also advised the department to take all necessary steps to clear…

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Kupwara killings dealt body blow to tourism

Editor

‘Over 1000 bookings cancelled’ Over thousand bookings were cancelled in the wake of the five civilian killings in Kupwara district earlier this month with the tourism industry witnessing 40 percent decline in tourist arrivals, according to the local tour operators. President Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK), Mohammad Ibrahim Siah told Kashmir POST that the civilian killings in Handwara and Kupwara hit the tourism sector badly “as 30 to 40 percent of tourism related businesses was lost due to the cancellation of advanced bookings by the tourists”. “Though the season…

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