Talk about Kashmir and the places that come to mind are Srinagar, Sonmarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. They remain the most frequented and popular tourist destinations. There’s much more to discover in this lovely state. Presenting the lesser-known beautiful places of Kashmir that you must visit once in your lifetime: Gurez Valley Photographs by Amit Tyagi The Kishanganga river flows through this picturesque valley, located in northern Kashmir. For a view of its river flowing in front and the pyramid-shaped peak of Habba Khatoon — named after the famous Kashmiri poet —…
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Business
Rafting event organised at Wessun to promote tourism
The Department of Tourism, Kashmir, and Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir organised a rafting championship at Wessun in Ganderbal district as part of its efforts to promote tourism. Expressing happiness over the successful conclusion of the championship today, Minister for Public Works Naeem Akthar, who gave away prizes on the occasion, said youth should highlight positive stories of the state. Kashmir Tourism Director Mahmood A Shah said the department was vigorously promoting adventure sports in Kashmir. “The adventure tourism also provides opportunity for entrepreneurs. We have been organising training…
Read MoreArtisans protest, seek GST rollback on handicrafts
The demand to rollback the goods and service tax (GST) on handicrafts grew louder as artisans, traders, manufacturers, exporters and raw material suppliers associated with the sector staged a protest here today. Even as the stakeholders associated with the handicrafts sector are already up in arms against the GST implementation, they threatened to intensify protests in case their demand was not met. “We have been cheated by the government. The Finance Minister had assured us in June that the GST will not be implemented on the handicraft sector. However, when…
Read MoreKashmir tourism going through worst crisis in last two decades
The tourism sector in Kashmir is going through its worst crisis in over two decades, with many hotels closing down, staff being laid off and players in the industry looking for alternative businesses or even job opportunities. Tourism, considered as the most visible asset of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, has been pushed to a cold dark corner, where things are going from bad to worse as the situation in the valley remains tense. Even with hotels offering discounts as high as 70%, occupancy rates are less than 5% at a time…
Read MoreCloudburst hits Khonmoh industrial area, Surrounding areas
A massive cloudburst caused flash floods at Khonmoh area here on outskirts on Wednesday morning damaging more than hundred units at the Khonmoh Industrial Estate (IE). Reports said the first cloudburst occurred at 9:30 am hitting Industrial Estate Phase-2. The second cloudburst hit Phase-3 of the IE in the afternoon. The IE is divided into three phases and there are almost 450 industrial units in the estate spread on 4000 kanals. Witnesses said more than 100 units have been damaged. Industrial units affected by the cloudburst included those manufacturing of…
Read MoreWon’t pay tax, if GST not rolled back: Civil Society
The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), a grouping of trade organisations and civil society groups, said on Monday that it will take to the route of civil disobedience if the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is not rolled back by the state government. “If the state has means to exercise its power, we, too, have means. We will not pay any tax to the government if it is not rolled back,” said Shakeel Qalander, a member of the JKCC during a seminar, ‘Surrender of Fiscal Autonomy and Compromise on…
Read MoreTraders, 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.…
Read MoreGST 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…
Read More2017 more depressing for Kashmir tourism than strife-hit 2016
With more than half of this year’s tourist season over, alarm bells are already ringing for those associated with the tourism industry in Kashmir. “If you thought 2016 was the worst that could hit us, you are wrong. Tourism-wise, 2017 has been worse than last year. Another year like this and it is shutters down for hoteliers of the Valley,” said Aijaz Ahmad Chaya, a well-known hotel owner who has establishments in the tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg. The story of the average restaurant owner, tea-stall owner and those…
Read MoreWill continue to oppose GST: J&K Coordination Committee
The Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee (JKCC), an amalgam of traders’ bodies and civil society members, today said it would continue to create awareness against the goods and service tax (GST) by involving larger sections of the society. “People now understand how we were deceived by the government on the GST. We are currently on job and holding consultations with different stakeholders. We will soon conduct a seminar and will also decide on the future course of action,” said JKCC convenor Siraj Ahmad. The JKCC, which had recently been formed…
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