Year: 2015

SPCB’s adverse report doesn’t stop kiln operation in Budgam

Editor

3 brick kilns operate on horticultural land; authorities unmoved  Authorities have failed to cancel the licenses of three brick kilns and suspend their “illegal” operations on the horticultural land since last year at village Gariend Khurd in Budgam district. Despite resentment from the local residents three brick kilns have been set up on the 1500 kanals of horticulture land at the cost of thousands of apple, almond and other fruit trees and are running in brazen violation of The Jammu and Kashmir Brick Kilns (Regulation) Act, 2010. Locals allege that…

Read More

PMO monitoring probe in Kishengaga land fraud

Editor

Action against officials after CBI submits report: DC Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has taken a strong note of the fraud in acquisition of land for construction of 330 MWs of Kishengaga power project by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in Gurez area of North Kashmir’s Bandipora district. Sources said before deciding to visit the State on November 7 to inaugurate 450 MWs Baglihar power project phase II, PM Modi reviewed the work of power projects in the state. During the meeting, PM took strong exception about the fraud that…

Read More

Former CM uses Facebook to connect with masses

Editor

After twitter, former chief minister and opposition National Conference working president Omar Abdullah Tuesday launched an official Facebook page “Omar Abdullah” to connect with people. Tech savvy Omar who is famous for using twitter 24/7, in his first post on his official Facebook page said he himself would maintain and update the page and his posts would be signed OA. He said he would be looking forward to connect with the people on this page. “My first post on my official Facebook page. This page is maintained and updated by…

Read More

Mirwaiz, others placed under house arrest ahead of ‘million march’, Jamia rally

Editor

Continuing its crackdown on separatist leaders, police on Wednesday placed Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house detention. A heavy contingent of police arrived at the Nigeen residence of the Mirwaiz and informed him of his detention, said a spokesman. He added that media advisor of the Mirwaiz, Advocate Shahid ul Islam was also placed under house arrest while another leader Abdul Manan Bukhari was detained at Nowgam police station. Hurriyat (M) had appealed people to participate in ‘Solidarity Day’ at Jamia Masjid on Friday to pay tribute to…

Read More

Fingers crossed ahead of PM Modi’s visit to Kashmir valley

Editor

Days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kashmir valley scheduled for November 7, many here in the state have crossed their fingers for what they term as one of the major course of action by Modi-led NDA government trying to reach out to the people in the valley. Modi is expected to address a rally in summer capital on Saturday after inaugurating the phase-II of the Baghlihar hydroelectric power project in Jammu. Against the rally, the Separatist camp here has called for a ‘Million March’ on the same…

Read More

Chanderkot villagers to hold protest during PM’s visit

Editor

Thousands await free power from 900-MW Baghlihar project, commissioned in 2008 Thousands of villagers of Baghlihar hamlet in Chanderkot and its surrounding villages in Ramban district have yet to get the promised free power from the 900-MW Baghlihar hydel power project since the first 450-MW unit of the project was commissioned by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in October 2008. The disgruntled residents have unanimously decided to protest peacefully on the day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit here on November 7 for commissioning of the 450-MW unit II of…

Read More

Army’s timing to own up to blunders raises eyebrows

Editor

Machil verdict, Budgam response came ahead of PM visit It may be a coincidence, but the Army’s timing of announcing exemplary punishment to its officers and soldiers involved in the Machil fake encounter case of 2010 and its course of action in the Budgam mistaken identity shootout of 2014, both ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir, has raised several eyebrows. Modi is scheduled to address a rally in Srinagar on November 7. While the Army’s timing in announcing the Machil encounter verdict in the midst…

Read More

GoI issues 7000 H1N1 testing kits to States, Kashmir gets none

Editor

With H1N1 Influenza raging across India, Union Ministry of Health has issued 7000 testing kits to states with Kashmir getting none. According to a press release by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the government plans to distribute 15000 more such kits. However, JK health officials say they haven’t received any assistance in form of testing kits from MoHFW. Currently, two hospitals in Kashmir are equipped to test for H1N1 Influenza. However, the hospital administrations said that the infrastructure as well as testing kits have been procured by the hospitals…

Read More

Geelani, Malik attack CM Mufti Sayeed for praising PM Modi

Editor

Separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Yasin Malik on Tuesday attacked Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for showering praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The puppet Chief Minister’s praise of Modi and Hindu fanatic RSS is reflective of his ideological and physical slavery. In fact, Mufti Sayeed is working as a bridge for the RSS to sacrifice Jammu and Kashmir to the communal forces,” Geelani, chairman of hardline Hurriyat Conference, said. Reacting to Sayeed’s statement that Modi is not “intolerant”, Geelani said he has “unmasked” himself. JKLF chief Mohammad Yasin Malik also…

Read More

Kashmir’s saffron growers in the red

Editor

Centre’s ambitious renewal mission, fails to click due to actions of land and soil excavation mafia. Despite the setting chill, south Kashmir’s Pampore fields, situated on rare soil dunes, wear a festive look these days with young and old, irrespective of their professions and gender, singing and plucking the famed and prized saffron crop from a carpet of purple flowers. However, the disappointment on farmers’ faces is visible as the Centre’s Rs. 413-crore Prime Minister’s National Saffron Renewal Mission has failed in its objective. Besides, the politician-backed land and soil…

Read More