September 2023 | Page 4 of 11

Airfare from Kashmir to Increase as Airport Development Fee Hikes

September 22, 2023 Editor

Travelers flying from Srinagar can expect higher costs from next month as the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA) has given the green light for a phased increase in aeronautical charges and User Development Fees (UDF). AERA is a regulatory agency under the Government of India (GoI) that regulates tariffs and other expenditures and fees for major airports. It is a statutory body constituted under the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India Act, 2008. The Airport Authority of India proposed an increase in UDF but after taking various opinions under consideration, AERA…

Omar Abdullah alleges BJP weakened regional parties by Abrogating Article 370

September 22, 2023 Editor

National Conference (NC) vice-president and former J&K chief minister, Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that the aim of Article 370 abrogation was to weaken regional political parties. He, however said that the NC is growing stronger day by day. Addressing a public rally in north Kashmir’s Handwara, Omar said the decision taken by the Centre was solely aimed at weakening the foothold of NC. “Whenever our party holds rally and programmes, a large number of people participate in it. The aim of abrogation of Article 370 was to weaken us.”…

Bukhari appeals to Hurriyat, Jamaat Members to Join Apni Party if they believe in India’s Sovereignty

September 22, 2023 Editor

Apni Party President Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today made an appeal to political leaders and prominent workers including those from the Hurriyat Conference and Jamaat-e-Islami, who believe in the sovereignty and integrity of India and its constitution to join his party to strengthen the peace process in Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to KIF he said those who are terrorists, anti-nationals, hatching conspiracies with enemy country and involved in drugs cannot join the Apni Party. He stated that his appeal is also for those in other parties including the National Conference…

PDP Chief questions BJP’s decision to felicitate preacher booked under PSA

September 22, 2023 Editor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president also sought release of other religious scholars who are currently under detention in various jails across J&K. Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti mocked the BJP for first arresting religious scholars and then felicitating them on their release. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president also sought release of other religious scholars who are currently under detention in various jails across J&K. “Religious leaders now released & felicitated by BJP after being slapped with PSA were earlier accused of being a security threat by…

High Taxes and Inflation made life miserable: JKPCC Chief

September 22, 2023 Editor

The president of the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee Vikar Rasool Wani on Thursday said that there was grave resentment among the people, including youth, students, daily wagers, in the region owing to high taxes, rising inflation and unemployment. Addressing party workers meeting here, Wani said that installation of smart meters, property tax, water tax, toll plazas and other taxes have compounded the problems of a common man in Jammu and Kashmir. “There is great unrest among the people of Jammu and Kashmir for because of the prolonged Governor…

Mitigating Food Wastage at Lavish Kashmiri Weddings

September 21, 2023September 21, 2023 Editor

“Eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters” (Surat Al-A’raf 7: 31) By: Javid Amin Kashmiri weddings, celebrated for their opulence and grandeur, often feature extravagant feasts. Families invest considerable resources in creating lavish spreads to commemorate these joyous occasions. However, this lavishness has a considerable downside – a staggering amount of food wastage. A study conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has revealed that up to 40% of the food served at Kashmiri weddings goes to waste.…

The Begging Conundrum in Srinagar: A Multifaceted Challenge Requiring Comprehensive Solutions

September 20, 2023 Editor

By: Javid Amin Beggary has emerged as a significant issue in Srinagar, the capital city of Jammu and Kashmir, India. A 2019 survey conducted by the Jammu and Kashmir government reported that Srinagar is home to over 10,000 beggars, with approximately 70% originating from outside the state. Beggary is an intricate problem that defies simple solutions. Several factors contribute to the prevalence of begging, including poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and disabilities. Frequently, beggars hail from impoverished and marginalized communities, often left with no alternative means of sustenance. Beggars in…

Post Nijjar killing Sikhs for Justice asks Hindus of Indian origin to leave Canada

September 20, 2023 Editor

SFJ’s legal counsel Gurpatwant Pannun issued the threat in a video amid a diplomatic row between India and Canada. Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a pro-Khalistan organisation banned in India in 2019, has threatened Hindus of Indian origin and asked them to leave Canada for supporting the country of their origin and “promoting violence” by celebrating Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s killing. “Indo-Hindu leave Canada; go to India. You not only support India but you are also supporting the suppression of speech and expression of pro-Khalistan Sikhs,” said SFJ’s legal counsel…

J&K situation worse than government claims: Omar Abdullah

September 20, 2023 Editor

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the situation in the Union Territory was worse than the government was claiming. Addressing the media in Srinagar, Abdullah said that the government was trying to hide the real situation in J&K with lies. He pointed to the recent spate of killings of civilians and security personnel, as well as the ongoing CASO (cordon and search operations) in different parts of the UT, as evidence of the deteriorating security situation. Abdullah also said that the government’s move to…

Turkish President Erdogan urges India-Pakistan talks on Kashmir at UN

September 20, 2023 Editor

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again raised the Kashmir issue saying that resolving it through dialogue by India and Pakistan will lead to regional stability. “Developments that will pave the way for regional peace, stability and prosperity in South Asia will be the establishment of a just and lasting peace in Kashmir through dialogue and cooperation between India and Pakistan,” he said on Tuesday at the high-level UN General Assembly meeting. “Turkiye will continue to support the steps to be taken in this direction,” he added. His latest comment…