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
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?…
Read MoreSupreme 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,…
Read MoreBJP 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…
Read MoreGrassroots 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…
Read MoreOmar Abdullah Confronts Karnataka CM Over Kashmiri Student’s Harassment
The JKSA said such incidents highlight the alarming culture of unchecked ragging and abuse within educational institutions. J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday raised the issue of a Kashmiri student’s thrashing with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and sought a First Information Report (FIR) into the incident. “I have spoken to the CM of Karnataka, Siddaramaiahji, about this unfortunate incident. He has assured me that the police have filed an FIR and necessary action will be taken. Four people accused of perpetrating this ragging/thrashing have been identified,” Mr. Abdullah said.…
Read MoreProtecting Our Children’s Future: Open Letter Against Unjust School Fee Hike
Arbitrary School Fee Hikes: A Call for Transparency and Fairness Srinagar 19 Feb: In a recent move that has sparked widespread concern among parents, New Convent School – Gogji Bagh, Srinagar, announced a sudden fee hike effective from March 24. The decision has created significant financial stress for many families, exacerbated by the school’s ultimatum that hall tickets for examinations will not be issued unless the revised fees are paid in full by the stipulated deadline. This situation has led to an outcry from parents, calling for transparency and fairness…
Read MoreOrganic Poultry: The Key to Better Health and Sustainable Living
Organic Poultry: The Key to Better Health By: Aubaid Ahmed Akhoon Poultry farming has been a cherished tradition in Kashmir Valley for generations. In earlier times, almost every household kept chickens and other domestic birds, serving multiple purposes. These birds not only beautified courtyards but also provided a reliable source of fresh eggs and meat. Moreover, they played a crucial role in the household economy, as they could be sold when financial needs arose. Unlike commercial poultry, home-raised birds were known for their superior taste and nutritional value, free from…
Read MoreNC’s Ideological Integrity Under Scrutiny: MP Ruhullah’s Call to Action
NC must stick to its ideological commitments: MP Ruhullah Srinagar, Feb 18: National Conference (NC) MP Agha Ruhullah Mehdi has said that his party will have to stick to its ideological commitments or it will be seen betraying the people. He made the remarks in an exclusive conversation with Kashmir News Service (KNS) in New Delhi. Reacting to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Sonmarg, Ruhullah dismissed the praise, calling it unnatural and a sign of divine wrath. During PM Modi’s visit to Sonmarg in…
Read MoreClimate Change Threatens Kashmir’s Identity: Naeem Akhtar Calls for Rapid Response
Kashmir’s basic character under threat due to climate change, No Quick-Fix Solutions; Akhtar Urges Govt to Balance Ecology and Development, Form Rapid Response Force Srinagar, Feb 17: Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar on Monday urged the government to constitute a rapid response force and make it a top priority to address the pervasive climate impacts in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the PDP leader, the situation has the potential to alter the character of this Himalayan region, which otherwise serves as a source of ecological stability…
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