Month: February 2016

Anti-NFSA protests in Baramulla, protesters demanding opening of LOC to fetch rice from PoK

Editor

Massive protests were held against the recently-implemented National Food Security Act (NFSA) in Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Monday with the protesters calling for opening of a border outlet with Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Coodination Committee Baramulla, which was recently formed to spearhead the protests against the NFSA, had called for a demonstration today. The committee comprises traders federation, Gurdwara Prabandhak Committtee and Auqaf committee. “If India is unable to provide even 400 grams of ration a day (as per WHO)  then let them open the border and allow us to…

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J&K emerging prime destination for MICE, golf tourism

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Jammu and Kashmir is emerging as a high-end tourism destination amidst retaining its popularity among mid-budget segment travellers, a senior state official has said. “Jammu and Kashmir is ready and has the right infrastructure in place to cater to tourists in areas like MICE (Meeting, Incentive Travels, Conferences, Events) and golf tourism among others,” R K Verma, Director Tourism, Jammu and Kashmir, told representatives during the ongoing International Tourism Mart (ITM) in Goa. He said, “MICE and Golf Tourism are emerging high-end tourism products and Jammu and Kashmir has all…

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‘When out of power, they rake up issues of autonomy, talks’

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All Parties Hurriyet Conference has hit out at pro-India National Conference (NC) President Dr Farooq Abdullah and his son Omar Abdullah for playing vote bank politics over issues of autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir and talks Pakistan-India talks. APHC Spokesperson Ayaz Akbar in a statement issued in Srinagar, “Whenever National Conference is out of power they suddenly start remembering the autonomy and talking about the friendship with Pakistan. But when they are in government, they not only hate talks but also suggest India to attack Azad Kashmir and occupy it.”…

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Is Governor’s rule proving better than elected Govts?

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Vohra cuts red tape, directs officers to be austere Unlike the elected government which witness excessive bureaucracy, governance in the State is improving during the Governor’s rule as the Governor has been able to cut the red tape. During the past two months, an impression that governance in the State has improved drastically under Governor Narinder Nath Vohra is gaining ground. According to top officers in the administration, during this stint of the Governor’s rule in the State, Governor Vohra has been after them, pushing them to implement decisions meant…

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Indo-Pak cricket match turns nightmare for Darbar move employees, their families in Jammu

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Guards joined saffron group, shouted provocative slogans, harassed Govt quarters’ inmates: Employees NGCSEU to take up issue with Chief Secretary Minutes after India won 20-20 cricket match against Pakistan last evening, saffron groups allegedly with the help of locals entered the government quarters’ premises in Old City where Darbar move employees have been staying and allegedly shouted ‘provocative slogans’. The incident has spread fear among the move employees and their families who have decided to meet Chief Secretary B R Sharma on Monday and seek proper security arrangements. “Security guards…

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Umar Khalid’s connection with Kashmir; Revealed

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It was in Srinagar where he had dreamed to represent the state’s under-19 cricket team. Some 10 years ago, Umar Khalid’s little less known passion had led him to Kashmir. It was in Srinagar where he had dreamed to represent the state’s under-19 cricket team, even though he wasn’t a native of Jammu and Kashmir. His father, Syed Qasim Illyas Rasool, had many friends working as government officials back then and it was because of them that Umar managed to play some district level matches. “Umar wanted to play for…

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Proposed bus stops nowhere to be seen

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Traffic Congestion In Srinagar Despite collecting Rs 2 crore as fine from traffic violators last year, the state government has failed to ensure proper bus stops in the city, which has worsened the traffic congestion situation. Srinagar, the state’s summer capital, has a population of nearly 1.3 million. The city requires more than 300 bus stops but the absence of the same continues to be a cause of concern for locals, for whom travelling has become a difficult experience. “The buses do not have proper stops here. They stop wherever…

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JK hopes Budget will help boost economy

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As the BJP-led government at the Centre will present its third Budget tomorrow, the business community in the state is waiting for some state specific announcements which will help revamp the economy of Jammu and Kashmir post the floods in September 2014. Already miffed over the Centre’s ‘failure’ to rehabilitate the flood victims and the delay in extending the Central package for industries by the successive governments, the Jammu region and the Kashmir valley are hoping that Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will bring cheer to the people in J&K,…

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Kashmir schools to reopen tomorrow – Post winter break

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Schools across Kashmir are set to reopen from Tuesday (March 1) after being closed for more than two months for winter vacations. The schools are opening a week earlier than the scheduled date of March 8 this time. Officials said the weather in the Valley has shown drastic improvement, making them pre-pone the date. “All schools will open from March 1 as the weather has also shown drastic improvement,” said Director, School Education, Kashmir (DSEK), Shah Faesal. The weather had mostly been dry this winter as there has been less…

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Guv reviews relief disbursement in Valley

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Governor NN Vohra today reviewed the disbursement of relief to traders in Kashmir whose business establishments were affected due to floods in September 2014. The Governor was informed by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, that an amount of Rs 6.54 crore had been disbursed during the last three days, since February 25, in various district of the Kashmir valley. A Raj Bhawan spokesperson said disbursement of relief to traders had been resumed this week after Governor’s directions to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, during his visit to Srinagar on February 16. The Governor…

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