New National Highway leaves people jobless

Tourists and pilgrims deprived of picnic spots on Jammu-Srinagar stretch The newly constructed Jammu-Srinagar highway that opened for vehicular movement in March 2015 has brought a new dimension to commuting with four-laned traffic movement making it fast and quick. This left behind certain important spots bypassed in the process that used to be tourists’ delight while commuting on the old highway. Nandini and Jhajhharkotli, the two important sojourn spots for the tourists moving from Jammu to Srinagar, had been important stopovers for tourists for many reasons. Nandini, 28 km from…

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Hepatitis ‘on rise’, but JK continues with ‘outdated’ testing technique

Despite evidence suggesting that Hepatitis-C infection is on rise in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir, the Health authorities in the State continue to test blood samples through “less-effective but cheaper technologies”, thus risking lives of hundreds of patients while allowing spread of the disease. Official data points to an increasing incidence of Hepatitis B and C infections— commonly spread through blood—in the Valley. The Kashmir Centre of Integrated Disease Surveillance Program—in its Activity Report for 2015—states that 262 cases of Hepatitis (both B and C) were reported from Kashmir…

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In JK, New Delhi’s key infrastructure, energy projects hit by delays

The Government of India’s key infrastructure projects in J&K have been hit by delays, raising questions on the central government’s promises to bring about socio- economic development in the State, according to officials. A cursory look at the mega central-sector projects being executed in the State reveals that all of them have failed to meet deadlines fixed for their commissioning. The projects—which could have been of immense benefit to over 1. 25 crore souls of the State—are being executed at a snail’s pace, with interventions from top offices including the…

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Centre may add to PM Modi’s J&K package: Jaitley

Pledging full support to the new PDP-BJP government to be formed in Jammu and Kashmir, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday said the Centre may add to the Prime Minister’s Rs. 80,000 cr package announced in November last if resources permit. “There are two guiding factors. One is the agenda for governance and one is the Prime Minister’s package. There is so much in the Prime Minister’s package that even if our resources permit us year to year, we will add to it,” he told PTI in an interaction. “Therefore,…

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‘Pakharpora has all what film industry requires’

Scenic Pakharpora in central Kashmir’s Budgam may get a huge boost in the days to come as it has all what the film industry requires for shooting. This was stated by Bollywood actor-turned producer, while addressing a function to promote rural tourism at Pakharpora, which was organised by the National Welfare Forum on Friday. Bollywood producer, who is shooting a film, “Sargoshaiyan”, said Pakharpora was a unique destination with a virgin beauty that had never been shot by the film industry. “Since ’60s Bollywood has been shooting films at famous…

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If the Kashmiris cheer for Afridi’s team, can we blame them?

Was Shahid Afridi right in saying that the support his Pakistani team got in India was from Kashmiris? BCCI grandee and BJP MP Anurag Thakur said Afridi was “politically incorrect” to have said it. Perhaps, but was he factually correct? Apparently. The Times of India’s Twitter account for sports ran a clip headlined: “WATCH: Fans from Kashmir bat for Pakistan cricket team ahead of Australia clash in Mohali.” The Kashmiri fans concerned said they would support Pakistan even over India. This may not surprise many readers. In one of his…

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Avalanche hit in north Kashmir, killing two BRO labours

Two people were killed on Sunday when an avalanche hit a place near Sadhna Pass in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a police officer said. “Two civilians, who were working as Beacon (Border Roads Organisation) labourers, came under an avalanche during snow clearance operation at Khooni Nallah near Sadhna Pass,” the officer who did not want to be named because he was not authorised talk to the press said. The official said they two were rescued but they died at a hospital. The divisional administration issued a medium danger avalanche warning…

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MLA Rashid slams entry of non-state subjects in valley

Awami Itehad Party chief and MLA Langate, Abdul Rashid Sheikh has demanded an end to flow of non-state subjects into Kashmir valley, arguing that their credentials and whereabouts are not known. Addressing public meetings at Malaknag Anantnag, Kelam Kulgam and Hawal Srinagar today Rashid said from Qazigund to Karnah thousands of non-state subject and homeless families have occupied thousands of kanals of land and started constructing temporary huts. “While Kashmiris need to prove their identity not only in other states but in their own hamlets to security agencies, this uninvited…

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‘World Theatre Day’ Be Kus Chus?

At Tagore Hall, Sohal Lal Kaul’s play on tortures, enforced disappearances, fake encounters takes you inside Army’s crammed detention centres To mark ‘World Theatre Day’, a powerful drama narrating the painful story inside Army’s detention center that became a symbol of torture and disappearances in Kashmir, was performed at Tagore Hall on Sunday. ‘Be Kus Chus’ (Who Am I) written by Sohan Lal Kaul pays a tribute to those disappeared and killed in fake encounters after being dubbed as militants and their sympathizers by government forces. The play was the…

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Kashmir civil society opposes proposed power tariff hike

Strongly opposing the Power Development Department’s proposed power tariff hike, a Kashmir-based civil society group has petitioned the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) and advocated increase in power tariffs for army and other forces’ establishments, also stating that general consumers cannot be burdened for “failure” of the State to reduce the Transmission and Distribution losses. The Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS)— in its petition—has expressed concern over the “failure of authorities” to curb and control the “perpetuating and ever-growing T&D losses incurred in power sector which is…

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