Month: June 2016

Kashmiri gives new identity to pashmina in world market

Editor

As power looms pose a threat to the pashmina shawl industry in the Valley, a French and Kashmiri entrepreneur are together trying to revive the industry and give it a new identity. For the first time in 500 years since the shawl industry was commercialised by the Muslim rulers of the Valley, an attempt has been made to create a global brand to sustain not only the shawl artisans but also give a new lease of life to the sector which is on the verge of collapse due to the…

Read More

Indus Water Treaty has caused huge losses to J&K: Govt

Editor

The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), under which Pakistan has got control over all the major rivers of Jammu and Kashmir, has resulted in huge losses to the state and the extent is being assessed, the government said today. The Indus Water Treaty (IWT), under which Pakistan has got control over all the major rivers of Jammu and Kashmir, has resulted in huge losses to the state and the extent is being assessed, the government said today. “It is a fact that the state is facing huge losses due to the…

Read More

‘India stalling dialogue with Pakistan to avoid negotiations on Kashmir’

Editor

Pakistan Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz on Wednesday claimed that India is deliberately stalling dialogue process with its neighbouring country in order to avoid negotiations on issues like Kashmir. Contradicting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement in which he placed the onus of the stalled bilateral talks on Pakistan, Aziz asserted that Pakistan never refrained from talks with India. He said Pakistan had plans for extensive talks with India on several issues such as Kashmir, Siachen, Sir Creek, economic cooperation, trade, visas and the detaining of fishermen,…

Read More

Protesters warn India against execution of anti-Kashmir agenda

Editor

Leaders and activists of All Parties Hurriyet Conference, the Hurriyet forum led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front held a sit-in protest in Srinagar, today, against India’s anti-Kashmiri agenda. A statement issued by the All Parties Hurriyet Conference said that the protesters led by JKLF Chairman Muhammad Yasin Malik assembled in Nowhatta area of Srinagar and chanted high-pitched anti-India and pro-freedom slogans. They were protesting against India’s designs to construct separate colonies for Indian soldiers and Kashmiri Pandits and Delhi’s so-called Industrial Policy. The protesters warned…

Read More

Summer break in Kashmir schools from 1 – 17 July

Editor

In view of rising temperatures, authorities on Wednesday announced 17-day-long summer vacation in all educational institutions upto higher secondary level in Kashmir division and winter zone of Jammu region from July 1. “All government and private schools of Kashmir Division and winter zone of Jammu region shall observe summer vacations with effect from July 1 till July 17,” an order issued by Commissioner Secretary Shaleen Kabra, a copy of which lies with news agency GNS. Any violation on part of private schools shall warrant strict action, the order said.

Read More

HC orders doctor’s reinstatement

Editor

The J&K High Court has ordered the reinstatement of a doctor who was declared deadwood and his service terminated by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government last year along with 62 other officials. In its order issued today on a writ challenging termination of his service, the High Court ordered the reinstatement of Dr Riyaz Ahmad Dar, who was medical officer in Medical Supplies Corporation. “The petition is allowed. The impugned order of 2015 is quashed. Respondents are directed to take the petitioner back into service and grant him all consequential benefits,”…

Read More

Sub-standard medicines being administered to patients in valley

Editor

CAG report points out Govt failure to ensure independent quality check of drugs In the absence of a proper testing mechanism, sub-standard drugs continue to be in use in the various health institutions of Jammu and Kashmir. According to Comptroller and Auditor General of India’s report, around 50.95 lakh sub-standard tablets/capsules/injections, worth Rs 82.74 lakh, were found to be used in the health institutions. “Data collected from the state Drug and Food Controller Organization, Srinagar as well as Jammu showed that organization had lifted 1833 samples from health institutions during…

Read More

JMC conducts drive against encroachment

Editor

The enforcement wing of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) conducted an anti- encroachment drive on the Akhnoor Road here today. A number of ‘rehris’ were seized for encroaching upon roadsides and causing inconvenience to pedestrians. The ‘rehris’ were destroyed. Pertinently, the JMC has created ‘rehri zones’ in the city. However, some ‘rehri’ owners were found selling their wares on the roadside instead of these zones. The enforcement wing also demolished three structures that were encroaching upon government land. The drive was launched under the supervision of JMC Commissioner Mandeep Kaur…

Read More

Cong, NC protest as locals not hired for Z-Morh tunnel work

Editor

The issue of non-engagement of local technocrats and skilled labourers in the construction work of the Z-Morh tunnel at Sonmarg led to noisy scenes and a virtual confrontation between Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu and National Conference (NC) leader Mian Altaf Ahmad in the Assembly today. Senior NC member and former minister Mian Altaf walked out of the House in protest over the use of “unparliamentary language” by Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu while replying to the former’s calling attention motion. Members of the NC and Congress also joined the walkout. “A…

Read More

Rare Quranic manuscripts on display in Srinagar

Editor

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today inaugurated an exhibition of rare Quranic manuscripts on the lawns of the Tagore Hall here. An official said that some of the rare Quranic manuscripts were being displayed at the three-day exhibition organised by the Cultural Academy in association with the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Directorate of Libraries and private collectors — Meeras Mahal Sopore and Qazi brothers. Later, Mehbooba, who is also the president of the Cultural Academy, presented the awards for best books to local writers. She said the award money for…

Read More