Month: February 2025

People’s Democratic Party’s Call for Liquor Ban Resonates with Kashmir’s Community Leaders

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People’s Democratic Party's Call for Liquor Ban Resonates with Kashmir's Community Leaders

People’s Democratic Party Calls for Complete Ban on Liquor in Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) launched a signature campaign in Jammu and Kashmir on February 23 to gather support for a complete ban on liquor in the region. The campaign was organised to back a bill introduced by PDP MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz, which proposes a total prohibition of alcohol in the union territory. The initiative was launched by party leader Iltija Mufti at the PDP’s head office. Mufti had initially planned to…

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Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Feels Climate Change Heat: Power Generation Down 83%

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Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Feels Climate Change Heat: Power Generation Down 83%

Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Feels Climate Change Heat Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – The stark reality of climate change has become increasingly evident at the Baglihar Dam along the Chenab River in the Ramban district of Chenab Valley. The prestigious Baglihar hydroelectric project, with an installed capacity of 900 MW, is currently generating a mere 150 MW of power, signifying a decline of 83 percent. “Climate change and less precipitation are having a direct impact on the power generation from Baglihar,” said a senior Power Development Department (PDD) official, noting that both stages…

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Tourists Flock to Dal Lake for Shikara Rides and Houseboat Stays

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Tourists Flock to Dal Lake for Shikara Rides and Houseboat Stays

Surge in Tourist Influx at Dal Lake Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – The iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar is witnessing a significant surge in tourist footfall. Travellers from across the country and beyond are flocking to experience its enchanting charm. Tourists are enjoying shikara rides to explore the inner parts of Dal Lake. The rise in tourism is boosting local businesses, benefiting houseboat owners, shikara operators, and handicraft sellers. Cozy houseboats, with their intricate woodwork and charming interiors, provide visitors with a memorable stay, while shikara operators guide them through the lake’s…

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Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi Slams Kashmir Police for Removing Anti-Alcohol Hoardings

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Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi Slams Kashmir Police for Removing Anti-Alcohol Hoardings

Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi Slams Kashmir Police for Removing Anti-Alcohol Hoardings Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – In a recent development, Srinagar MP and National Conference leader Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi has criticized the Jammu and Kashmir police for removing anti-alcohol hoardings in Srinagar. The hoardings, which were put up by traders in the commercial hub of Lal Chowk, urged tourists to refrain from consuming liquor and drugs, promoting responsible tourism and respect for local culture. The Controversy The controversy began when the police reportedly removed signboards and standees placed by…

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Supreme Court Facilitates Virtual Appearance for Yasin Malik in High-Profile Cases

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Supreme Court Facilitates Virtual Appearance for Yasin Malik in High-Profile Cases

SC Directs Yasin Malik to Appear Virtually in Jammu Court on March 7 Srinagar, February 21, 2025 – The Supreme Court has directed Yasin Malik, the jailed chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), to appear in a Jammu court via video-conferencing from Tihar Jail on March 7. This decision was made by a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, who noted that the Jammu sessions court is well-equipped with the necessary video-conferencing system to facilitate the virtual examination. Background of the Case Yasin Malik…

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Omar Abdullah Advocates for Regulated Investments to Safeguard Land and Create Jobs

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Omar Abdullah Advocates for Regulated Investments to Safeguard Land and Create Jobs

Investments Must Be Regulated to Protect Land and Jobs: Omar Abdullah Srinagar, February 21, 2025 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday attended the Confederation of Indian Industry’s J&K Annual Session-2025 titled “Amazing J&K: Aspiring for new growth goals”. According to a spokesperson, the event, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (J&K Council), brought together business leaders, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to discuss strategic actions to boost J&K’s economic growth and development, driving the region’s competitiveness and business potential through a robust and resilient industrial and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem.…

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New Convenience Fees on Google Pay: How It Affects Your Bill Payments

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New Convenience Fees on Google Pay: How It Affects Your Bill Payments

Google Pay Introduces Convenience Fees for Bill Payments: What Users Need to Know By: Javid Amin Google Pay, one of India’s most popular Unified Payments Interface (UPI) platforms, has announced a convenience fee for certain bill payments, such as electricity, cooking gas, and other utility payments. This move signals a shift toward monetizing UPI-based transactions, as fintech companies struggle to cover processing costs and sustain long-term growth. For users who rely heavily on Google Pay for their everyday transactions, these new fees may raise concerns. How much will it cost?…

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Supreme Court Upholds NEET-UG Requirement for MBBS Abroad: No Exceptions

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Supreme Court Upholds NEET-UG Requirement for MBBS Abroad: No Exceptions

No MBBS abroad valid without NEET-UG: SC; NEET-UG became mandatory after NMC issued a ruling in this regard in 2018 Srinagar, Feb 20: Aspirants looking at foreign medical colleges for pursuing MBBS beware: the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that no MBBS in any medical college abroad would be considered valid without taking a NEET-UG exam. The ruling aimed at maintaining a standard of medical education and quality of healthcare delivery reaffirming the National Medical Commission (NMC) rule that mandates NEET-UG for pursuing undergraduate medical courses in any medical college,…

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BJP Questions Karra’s Son’s Presence in Government Meeting: Allegations of Nepotism

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BJP Questions Karra’s Son’s Presence in Government Meeting: Allegations of Nepotism

According to J&K Pradesh Congress Committee chief Tariq Hamid Karra, his son Waleed attended the meeting pertaining to developmental issues. “He didn’t attend assembly meeting,” he says. Opposing the “presence of the son of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee president and MLA Tariq Hameed Karra in a government review meeting” in Kashmir, the BJP on Thursday termed it “political nepotism”. “The presence of Waleed Karra, son of MLA Tariq Hamid Karra, in a high-level government review meeting in Srinagar is a blatant example of political nepotism and a gross violation of…

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Grassroots Initiative in Kashmir: Villagers Join Hands to Clean and Restore Streams

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Grassroots Initiative in Kashmir: Villagers Join Hands to Clean and Restore Streams

Kashmir villages unite to save water bodies; Armed with gloves, masks, and trash bags, the volunteers also cleared the stream’s banks of weeds and debris, allowing the water to flow freely once again Srinagar, Feb 19: Following the initiative taken by the residents of Muniward village in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district earlier this month to clean the Jhelum tributary, Sandran, more villages are joining the movement to restore and preserve water bodies across Kashmir. On Monday, young volunteers from Ratnipora village in Pulwama district undertook a massive cleanup drive of…

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