Amid widespread anger over killing of Amarnath yatris, civil society Tuesday came out to protest against these killings and demanded an impartial probe. Large numbers of representatives from various civil society groups including businessmen, tourism players, academicians and journalists held silent protest demonstration at Pratap Park here and expressed solidarity with victim families. They demanded that all the massacres carried out by forces and other agencies should be probed by independent human rights organisations. “We are here to send a message that this is not our culture or tradition but…
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Business
Unregistered Hajj-Umrah illegal travel agency bust, 2 Arrested
J&K Police (Tourism Enforcement Wing) on Sunday claimed to have busted an unregistered Hajj-Umrah Tour and Travel agency operating here with the arrest of two persons. Senior superintendent of police (Tourism Enforcement), Amarjit Singh said “Tourist police station Srinagar received information that one un-approved travel agency namely Indo Sahab located at New Delhi is allegedly operating in Kashmir illegally and giving frequent advertisements in local newspapers in order to cheat gullible people”. The SSP said a special team was set up led by SHO Tourist police station Srinagar. “During investigation…
Read MoreRestrictions aimed at economically crushing Downtown: Traders
Government’s practice to frequently impose restrictions in Downtown is taking a distressing toll on businesses there, with traders accusing authorities of imposing curbs under “a conspiracy to economically crush people of Old City”. As per officials, out of five days in this week, there were restrictions on two days, Wednesday and Friday. While there were no restrictions on other parts of Srinagar, the areas falling under the jurisdiction of five police stations – Khanyar, Nowhatta, Rainawari, MR Gunj and Safakadal, were under siege even on Friday with police and paramilitary…
Read MoreKashmir’s farm produce of Walnut, Almond to be taxed at 12% under GST
Having been pitted against intense competition from imported walnut and almond especially the California produce, the local farmers and traders have expressed shock over 12 percent tax under GST regime, to be implemented in the state in a day or two. While expressing surprise over the decision of imposing tax on two Kashmir based agriculture commodities, growers and traders associated with the dry fruit demanded the immediate roll back of tax on the almond and walnut. More than 95 percent walnuts and 90 percent almonds of total Indian production are…
Read More50% Industrial units suspend manufacturing in Jammu: GST Row
As the confusion prevails over implementation of Goods and Services Tax in the state, 50 percent of industrial units in various industrial estates in Jammu division have suspended manufacturing from last four days. Traders and industrialists here say they have stopped here say they have stopped import and export outside stop due to confusion and are now facing shortage of raw material. “From last four days over 50 percent industrial units in entire Jammu division have stopped manufacturing as import or export not happened,” treasurer Bari Brahmana Industries Association (BBIA),…
Read MoreJKCC calls for Kashmir bandh today, Hurriyat lends support
Jammu and Kashmir Coordination Committee – an amalgam of trade bodies and civil society – has called for Kashmir Bandh on Wednesday to protest against the police action against the traders and civil society members. “Scores of traders were detained and beaten by the police when we tried to take out a peaceful protest march outside the Assembly complex. In the morning, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers (KTMF) president Muhammad Yaseen Khan and civil society members Mubeen Shah and Shakeel Qalandar were put under house arrest. The state government wants to…
Read MoreValley’s Economy, Tourism sector struggle to stay afloat
The Dal Lake shimmers under the summer sun and the waves lap at the bank in a never-ending procession; a quintessential picture-postcard setting at one of Kashmir’s most iconic tourist destinations. But for Mohammad Amir, who takes tourists for rides on his shikara – a canopied paddle boat – this natural beauty has no meaning if there is no one to admire what Mughal emperor Jahangir once described as a “paradise”. Tourist inflow to the Valley has come down to a trickle after months of unrest in 2016, crippling one…
Read More75% Decline in entry of goods trucks to state
As stalemate persists over the implementation of the GST in J&K, the scarcity of essential commodities and goods has been staring at the state with the inflow of goods-laden trucks entering the state coming down nearly by 75 per cent. According to the official records of the Commercial Taxes Department at Lakhanpur, the gateway of the state, only about 1,750 trucks loaded with goods and essential commodities entered J&K since the nationwide rollout of the GST on July 1. “Approximately, 2,200 trucks used to enter the state via Lakhanpur toll…
Read MoreGoods and Services Tax rollout: What’s cheaper, What’s dearer
India has launched Goods and Services Tax, the biggest tax reform since its Independence. Here’s a comprehensive list of goods and services which have become cheaper and costlier starting today. Items that will now cost less Corn flakes Toothpaste Soap Hair oil Ice cream Cheese Packaged tea and coffee Atta (packed & branded) Packed paneer Masala Sweets Packed curd Economy class air travel No change Milk Fresh vegetables and fruits Bread Basmati rice Atta Juices Electricity Items that will now cost more Cold drinks Chewing gum Chocolate Shampoo Face cream…
Read MoreGondola grounded till French expert’s nod
Pomagalski to inspect Gulmarg’s famed tourist attraction The Gulmarg Gondola service, suspended after the recent accident that claimed seven lives, will be resumed only after the go-ahead by a team of French experts. “The service will remain suspended till the enquiry is completed and service will be resumed only after a go-ahead by the French team, which is arriving soon,” said a senior official of the Jammu and Kashmir State Cable Car Corporation (JKSCCC). A team of the French firm Pomagalski would conduct the inspection. Seven persons, including four members…
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