Thousands lose jobs as restive Kashmir’s tourism economy dwindles

Tourism is important for Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, contributing 8% to the state’s gross domestic product. In 2016, the state recorded 1.29 million tourists. At the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Rizwan Ahmad Bhat stands next to his shikara (a traditional boat), named Do Badan Ek Jan (two bodies, one soul), waiting for tourists. Last year this time, the lake was packed with visitors exploring its waters and the views of the surrounding Zabarwan hills. This summer, the lake and its shores are empty of tourists and the smartly-dressed boatman is…

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3rd Intl Yoga Day observed across Jammu, Rain fails to dampen fervour

On 3rd International Yoga Day today, incessant rain played a spoilsport but it failed to dampen the spirit of the participants. Various departments, organisations and educational institutes had organised yoga sessions this morning, in which participants performed asanas to stay mentally and physically fit. The International Yoga Day Coordination Committee, Jammu, in collaboration with the AYUSH Department today celebrated the day at Brahman Sabha, Parade. The venue for the event was Mini Stadium but due to continuous rain, it was shifted to nearby Brahman Sabha. Union Minister of State Jitendra…

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Incessant rain lashes Kashmir Valley

The Kashmir valley is witnessing incessant rain for the past 24 hours, providing much relief to the people from the sweltering heat as the region is also observing Ramadan. The region, including summer capital Srinagar, witnessed light showers on Tuesday evening but by Wednesday morning moderate to heavy rain lashed different places. However, the rain had no dampening effect on Eid shoppers as the malls and markets in the capital witnessed a steady rush of the people today. On Monday, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 27.4°C. It plummeted to…

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All states pass GST Act, except JK

With Kerala approving the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) Act on Wednesday, Jammu and Kashmir remains the only state yet to pass the legislation ahead of the July 1 launch of the pan-India tax regime. “All states and union territories, except Jammu and Kashmir, have approved the SGST Act and are ready for the smooth roll-out of Goods and Services Tax (GST) with effect from July 1,” the Finance Ministry said in a statement here. Kerala issued an ordinance on Wednesday approving the State GST Act while West Bengal…

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Army to deploy 2 more battalions in south Kashmir

Two additional battalions — a total of 2,000 men — of the Army will be sent as reinforcement to four troubled districts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said today. With the presence of additional forces in Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian and Pulwama, some Army camps would be revived again, they said. The officials said the two additional battalions, which have already started moving to Kashmir, would be posted to some of the more vulnerable areas of the four districts. Major General BS Raju, General Officer Commanding of the Army’s Victor Force,…

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UN Chief engages to resume India-Pakistan talks on Kashmir

Guterres was asked about the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan along the Line of Control and the ceasefire violations since he assumed office as the UN chief in January. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres suggested today that he is engaged in bringing about a dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue through his meetings with the prime ministers of the two countries. “Why do you think I met three times the prime minister of Pakistan (Nawaz Sharif) and two times the prime minister of India (Narendra Modi).…

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Pre-monsoon rain exposes poor sewerage across Jammu city

Pre-monsoon rain in Jammu has exposed the much-hyped underground sewerage system laid under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission as overflowing manholes spilled dirty water on the roads. The project executed by the National Building Construction Corporation and the Economic Reconstruction Agency has been facing problems from the onset. Jammu received about 47 mm of rain during the past 24 hours which led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas of the city despite functional sewerage line. Residents in several localities in the city demanded investigation against the executing agencies…

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Cloud burst triggers flash floods havoc in Anantnag villages

Flash Floods triggered by cloudbursts wreaked havoc in several villages of Kokernag and Verinag areas of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Thursday, officials said. A senior official said a cloudburst hit Kokernag on Wednesday night, triggering flash floods in Brengi Nallah that damaged several houses, roads, standing crops, orchards and water pipelines in Vail, Gohan, Ahlan Gadole, Fromu, Luher Sanzi, and Magraypora areas. Machines have been put into service to remove boulders, muck and stones accumulated by the flash floods, sub-divisional magistrate Kokernag, Muhammad Rauf Rehman told Kashmir Post. He…

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National Highway shuts after landslides in Ramban, Udhampur

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway was closed to traffic after rain triggered landslides in the Udhampur and Ramban districts today. A heavy rain triggered landslides as well as mudslides on the highway at the Bali Nallah and Panthiyal areas today as a result of which hundreds were stranded, a police officer said. There was a landslide and mudslide on the highway in the Panthiyal area this morning which was cleared after a few hours of closure by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), he said. “Men and machines of the BRO are…

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Jammu gets lion’s share in allocation of funds under MGNREGA

Rural Development Schemes-I Jammu division has walked away with the lion’s share in allocation of funds under the union Rural Development Ministry monitored Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) during 2016-17. As per official documents, Jammu division has been allocated 44 percent more funds as compared to the valley under the MGNREGA by union RRD. The 10 districts of Jammu division had been allocated Rs 326.62 crores during 2016-17 as compared to Rs 217.73 crores for 10 districts of Kashmir and twin districts of Ladakh region during the…

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