Year: 2016

Government committed to inclusive growth of Ladakh, says Deputy CM

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Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh today said the government was committed to the comprehensive development of Ladakh so that the people of the desert region get all modern housing and educational facilities and other related amenities. The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at a function organised today by the All Ladakh Students Association of Jammu in connection with Lossar. Minister of State for Information, Education and Culture Priya Sethi, Councillor from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, Drokpa Thukse Rinpoche and several prominent citizens, intellectuals and academia were present…

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Govt approves Rs 27 cr for repair of Pandit township

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The government has sanctioned Rs 27 crore for the renovation of camp townships in Jammu, inhabited by displaced Kashmiri Pandits, which are in a dilapidated condition. The work will start in the next few months. Relief Commissioner RK Pandita announced this during a grievance redress meeting organised at Jagti township, which houses 4,000 Pandits. The meeting was organised by MLC Surinder Ambardar, the lone Kashmiri Hindu member in the Legislature. Pandita said the process of recruitment for the additional 3,000 posts announced by the government for the displaced community will…

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Mufti Sayeed’s condition still critical – Doctors

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The condition of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who was hospitalised 10 days ago, continued to be “critical but stable” today with doctors attempting to contain the chest infection. 79-year-old Sayeed, who was airlifted from Srinagar on December 24 and admitted to AIIMS, continued to be in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital. Doctors attending to him said today there was no change in his condition from yesterday. AIIMS had issued a statement last night in which his health condition was termed as “critical but stable”.…

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PDP, BJP should play constructive role in govt, says Congress

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Inderwal legislator and vice-president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Ghulam Mohammad Saroori today said the Congress was committed to satiating the political and economic aspirations of all segments of society. Saroori urged people to come forward and play a crucial role in decision-making at the grass-roots level. The Inderwal MLA was addressing a function at his residence in Kishtwar, where several BJP and PDP workers joined the Congress. He said the BJP and the PDP should play a constructive role in their government and not play vote-bank…

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Bad omen for Kashmir : Arun Joshi

Editor

IT was coming. The moment Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Lahore, Pakistan, a unique visit of its kind, there had been apprehensions that there might be a spectacular attack on the Indian soil which may attempt to kill the prospects of future meetings and talks between the two countries. The attack on the Pathankot Indian Air Force base on Saturday fitted into that line of anxieties that govern the relationship between Delhi and Islamabad. Terrorists have started their work post Christmas Modi visit to Pakistan. This is a bad…

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Tension mounts in state as Shias protest Saudi cleric’s execution

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Protests broke out at several places in the Kashmir valley and Kargil district today as Shia Muslims demonstrated against the execution of a cleric in Saudi Arabia. The Superintendent of Police (SP), North City, Srinagar, was injured in a clash between Shia protesters and the police in the Rainawari locality of the city here. Shias held protests at several places in the region, including the city, today against the execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr. The Shia cleric was executed in Saudi Arabia on Saturday, which triggered protests in the Shia-dominated…

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Adventure activities will attract high-spending tourists: AKTO

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Association of Kashmir Tour Operators (AKTO) has hailed tourism department for conducting adventure sports activities during winter months. In a statement, Chairman AKTO Nazir Ahmad Mir said national ice-skating held at Gulmarg and ice-climbing event at Pahalgam would help promote Kashmir among the adventure lovers and bring good adventure enthusiasts to Valley. “Adventure tourism has lot of potential in the State and organizing events would promote Kashmir for adventure tourism also. Adventure tourists are high-spending tourists who needs to be attracted to Kashmir in large numbers,” said AKTO Chairman AKTO…

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New trains, business opportunities for J&K: Prabhu

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Interacts with Ministers, MPs, Legislators Centre liberal in schemes, funds for State: Dy CM Union Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhu today said that Indian Railways is taking steps to connect Jammu and Kashmir State with rest of the country through railway line starting from the northern district of Baramulla. He said in this regard the project which was left in limbo has been fast paced by holding regular periodical meetings about its implementation besides providing the requisite funds for it. The Union Minister was addressing a meeting here today. It…

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Army owes rent of 37 years to a Jammu village

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Army has not paid rent for around 224 kanals of land it occupies in village Chatha of Satwari tehsil in Jammu district for the past 37 years. The agricultural land at Chatha village, located 6 kms south of the district headquarters Jammu, was occupied by army in 1978. According to the government, army has never been paid the rent for the land despite repeated reminders. Officials said the matter has been taken up with army “and they have been asked to pay the dues as soon as possible”. “The army…

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In digital era, Srinagarities without Aadhaar cards

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Signifying messy state of affairs in preparation of Aadhaar cards, majority of people in Srinagar are yet to receive the biometric identity. The Aaadhar card, which is mandatory for transferring direct cash subsidies to beneficiaries, is still a distant dream for people in Srinagar. While in other districts of Kashmir, the issuance of these cards has already been completed. Sources said only few percent of populace in Srinagar has received Aaadhar cards while remaining majority are yet to have biometric cards. While other districts of Kashmir has completed issuance of…

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