Traders, Civil society demand GST rollback

Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), an amalgam of trade and civil society members formed recently to oppose Goods and Services Tax (GST), in its present form on Monday threatened to launch civil disobedience in case GST is not rolled back by the state government. “The state has means to exercise its powers. We too have means so we will not pay tax. We are not asking government to provide us any exemption or incentives which we used to get in the previous tax structure but restoration of financial autonomy.…

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Joint Resistance leadership warns of agitation in Kashmir against demography tampering

Joint Resistance leadership (JRL) on Monday warned of a peoples’ agitation in Kashmir if Government of India tries to change the demography of the state by repealing Article 35 (A) that bars outsiders from buying land here. In a statement, JRL said that this is a very serious issue with serious ramifications. “If any effort is made in this direction, JRL will have to ask people to launch a vigorous agitation against this major ploy to change the basic character of the state’s special status, the consequences of which will…

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Recession in Kashmir

Ejaz Ayoub Economic activity in Kashmir is facing a serious slump which is reflected in all forms of manufacturing, commerce and trade. Indicators like GSDP growth, unemployment rate and credit off take are touching new lows. Despite the fact that state has been going through a continuous low intensity war since last three decades, most of the businesses in Kashmir have mastered the tactics of surviving the tides of unrest. However, the ongoing slump faced by the businesses in Kashmir is taking a colossal form never witnessed before. The prevailing…

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SKIMS appoint ‘Blue eyed’ as asst professors, allege Post-Doctoral Fellows

A group of Post-Doctoral Fellows (PDF) Monday accused SKIMS, Soura of resorting to favoritism, malpractices and preferring distance mode candidates for the posts of assistant professors in violation of norms. Aspirants told Kashmir Post that SKIMS, Soura advertised a number of assistant professor posts in 2014 against different vacancies and the process of which has begun from the past three weeks. “The Institute wants to appoint blue eyed candidates who have pursued their degrees via distance mode. The process of the selection is under way for the past three weeks,”…

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Encounter erupted in Pulwama, Mobile internet snapped, LeT commander Abu Dujana feared trapped

A fierce encounter is underway between militants and forces in Harkipora area of district Pulwama. Police officials told Kashmir Post that forces and Special Operation Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir police launched a joint operation following a tip off about the presence of militants at Harkipora. They said when forces were moving towards a particular area, the militants hiding there opened fire which was retaliated, ensuing in a fierce encounter. Initial reports suggest that three to four LeT militants including a top commander are believed to be trapped. Heavy…

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Linking militancy with Al-Qaeda, Islamic State ‘A ploy to defame’ Kashmir struggle: Hizbul Mujahideen

A wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militant appeared with an AK-47 rifle at a largely attended funeral of his slain colleague in south Kashmir on Saturday and said linking global terror network Al-Qaeda with Kashmir was to defame their movement. Riyaz Ahmad Naikoo, with the gun slung over his left shoulder, addressed the funeral gathering for nearly 20 minutes during which he said the recent statement about setting up of an Al-Qaeda unit in Kashmir was aimed at “maligning the freedom struggle of Kashmiri people which is an indigenous and home-grown movement”.…

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Efforts on to do away with J&K’s Special Status : Joint Resistance Leadership

Joint separatist leadership comprising Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Yasin Malik on Monday said people of Kashmir are “under assault from all sides” and “hectic efforts are on to do away with state’s special status” by challenging Article 35-A in the Supreme Court. “While on one hand, government forces are killing youth and firing pellets at protesters and NIA (National Investigation Agency) is persecuting the leadership, on the other, hectic efforts are now on to do away with J&K’s special status after passing of GST bill that…

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GST unpreparedness hits traders, leads to shortage of goods

As the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) has became a reality in Jammu and Kashmir, several Valley-based traders Saturday said many Multi-National Companies (MNCs) and wholesalers outside the state have stopped receiving any fresh orders for new stocks as these firms are still upgrading their systems for invoicing of goods. Most Kashmir-based traders now fear that fresh stocks wouldn’t be able to arrive here for next one month as outside companies are still in a process to upgrade their systems in tune with the new tax regime. “I…

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Pakistani Army violates ceasefire in Nowshera sector

Using light weapons and medium machine gun (MMG), the Pakistani Army fired on Indian posts. The Pakistani Army, once again, violated ceasefire on Sunday night along the Line of Control (LoC) in Baba Khori area of sector Nowshera, Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Using light weapons and medium machine gun (MMG), the Pakistani Army fired on Indian posts. “The Pakistani Army violated ceasefire by using light weapons and MMGs (medium machine guns) along the LoC in the Baba Khori belt of Naushera sector of Rajouri district at 2230 hours…

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After Mehbooba’s remarks, ‘Victims’ hopeful of debate on Article 35A

Even as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has given a strong warning against any tampering with Article 35A, people ‘suffering’ due to the provision are confident that a debate will help in highlighting this “discriminatory” clause illegally incorporated in the Constitution to deprive a section of its constitutional rights. Valmikis, West Pakistani Refugees (WPRs) and women married outside J&K, are the victims of the provision which enables the state Assembly to define permanent residents and give them special rights and privileges. “This is what we want. The nation is not aware…

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