Minster for Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan came under fire from the opposition members in the Assembly on Thursday after he said that MLAs are taken on board while formulating the plan for works to be executed under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The opposition MLAs accused government of using MGNREGA as a political tool to benefit the workers and members of the coalition parties. Minister for Rural Development Abdul Haq Khan was replying to a question during the question hour raised by BJP leader and MLA…
Read MoreMonth: January 2017
Transfer of hydel projects to state still a distant dream
As the PDP-BJP regime will complete two years of government on March 1 this year, one of the main objectives of the Agenda of Alliance — transfer of hydropower projects from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation — still remains a distant dream. The Jammu and Kashmir Government is still pursuing the matter with New Delhi. The last and only formal meeting with the Union Power Minister over the issue was held on March 16, 2015, giving an indication that the coalition has put the issue on the back-burner. Most of…
Read More‘Chillai Kalan’ tightens grip across Kashmir Valley, Leh coldest at -17.7°C
The ‘Chillai kalan’ has crossed the halfway mark and tightened its grip in the region leading to shivers and freezing cold as the Leh town in the Ladakh region was the coldest recorded place in Jammu and Kashmir as it shivered at the season’s lowest temperature of -17.7 °C – down nearly two degrees from yesterday’s -16 °C, an official at the Meteorological Department said. The tourist resort of Gulmarg, 50 km from here in north Kashmir, which attracts more snow skiers during winters, recorded the lowest temperature of -13.5…
Read MoreNational Conference dubs FM a ‘Dream Merchant’, Tears into coalition’s Budget
Tearing into the “reformist” Budgetary proposals of the PDP-BJP coalition government, the National Conference today launched a blistering attack on Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu, dubbing him a “dream merchant” who lives in his own “world of illusions”. Devender Singh Rana, NC MLA from Nagrota, tore into the coalition’s third Budget page by page as he repeatedly taunted the Finance Minister as the most “intelligent” person in the House who “sets new trends”. In his 50-minute address, Rana minced no words in slamming the budgetary proposals as a “jugglery of words”…
Read MoreAdmin warns employees of action if failed to attend Republic Day Function
Jammu and Kashmir government today warned the employees and officers of government and Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) of disciplinary action against those who fail to attend the Republic Day function in Jammu, the winter capital city of the state. “Now, it is impressed upon all the officers and officials of the state government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) stationed at Jammu to attend the Republic Day function 2017, at MA Stadium, Jammu, as part of their official duty,” Additional Secretary to J-K Government Subash Chibber said in a circular here.…
Read MoreKashmir remained shut for over 2,000 days in 27 Years
In the past over two-and-half decades when India was making long strides and expanding its wings in the competitive global market, its crown Kashmir witnessed complete shutdown for a cumulative period of over five years on account of ‘hartal calls’ and ‘bandhs’ sponsored by separatists and terror outfits. A State Police Department report revealed that between January 1990 and December 31, 2016, the Valley has witnessed nearly 2,000 ‘hartals’ (shutdowns) on account of bandh calls, completely jamming the wheels of the economy. In addition to this, approximately 2,500 processions and…
Read MoreSnow Carnival beckons tourists at Gulmarg
Snow cricket and snow cycling are new additions to the snow carnival starting January 22 After a summer of discontent, the stage is all set for the snow carnival in the winter wonderland of Gulmarg. From ice hockey to snow cricket to snow sculpting, Gulmarg is gearing up to welcome domestic and foriegn tourists in the 15-day-long festival starting January 22. Situated at an altitude of 2,650 meters, Gulmarg is famous for its lush green meadows world class peaks which is the biggest draw for the skiers during winter. The…
Read MoreGovt admits, Inadequate infra big hurdle in quality energy supply
Amid growing energy crisis in J&K, the Government has for the first time admitted that the state had “grossly inadequate” infrastructure in place for meeting the rising power demands. “There is an urgent need to upgrade the Transmission and Distribution infrastructure so that future needs of the power supply can be fulfilled effectively,” the Economic Survey, which was tabled in the Assembly this week, highlights. While the Government has laid thrust on generation and is planning to add more than 5000-MW projects in both State and Central sector by middle…
Read MoreCrack in BJP over govt decision on ex gratia for unrest victim’s kin
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s decision to give Rs 5 lakh compensation and government jobs to the next of kin of stone-throwers killed during suSaffron party to convene meeting tomorrow to discuss the controversial issue Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s decision to give Rs 5 lakh compensation and government jobs to the next of kin of stone-throwers killed during summer unrest in Kashmir has created fissures within the BJP. Saffron party leaders are blaming its ministers in the coalition for their failure to oppose this “highly controversial” decision. Fearing that the decision…
Read MoreState Govt pursuing transfer of power projects from NHPC
JK government today said the transfer of power projects from National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) was an important part of the developmental agenda of BJP-PDP coalition government and the state is actively pursuing the transfer of these projects. In a written reply to the question of Devender Rana of National Conference in Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who also holds the power portfolio, said the government is actively pursuing the transfer of power projects. Rana had asked if the government has approached the Centre to transfer Dul Hasti,…
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