Category: Business

Business

Thousands lose jobs as restive Kashmir’s tourism economy dwindles

Editor

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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All states pass GST Act, except JK

Editor

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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Kashmiri work force shrinks, Migrant labourers gain millions odd day jobs every year

Editor

Migrant labourers gain millions odd day jobs every year Kashmir’s indigenous workforce is showing an ever decreasing participation in skilled and unskilled sectors, leaving millions of day-jobs for migrant labour from different states of India to pick up. According to the 2011 census, there are about six lakh non-local skilled and unskilled labourers engaged in different vocations in Kashmir. From snacks sellers to hawkers, from plumbers to carpenters, and barbers to masons, it is migrant labour from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and other Indian states who run the show.…

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Was ‘Alternate GST model’ for JK ignored?

Editor

While the state government is caught in a major controversy over implementation of Goods and Service Tax (GST) law in Jammu and Kashmir, an official panel had recommended an ‘alternative GST’ similar to the European Union model for the state in 2013, incorporating all features of the central law but allowing the state legislature to exercise its competence vis-à-vis taxation. The five-member committee, constituted by the state’s general administration department on October 4, 2013 to examine revised draft Constitution (105th Amendment) Bill 2013 of Government of India vis-à-vis Constitution of…

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Kashmir valley promoted as ‘Safe Destination’ in Pune

Editor

In an effort to boost footfalls, the Tourism Department today promoted Kashmir as a safe destination during an event in Pune. An official statement issued here said the Department of Tourism participated in an event on mountaineering titled, ‘Safe Climbing Initiative’. It said the programme was held to promote J&K as a ‘safe, forward and adventure tourist friendly state’. Around 500 climbers from across the country took part in the event. Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Director, Kashmir, Mahmood A Shah said: “We have the highest number of high-altitude lakes…

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GST is dead and buried in J&K

Editor

The people in the rest of India often wonder: why is Kashmir simmering and who is responsible for all the mess here? The simplest answer: it is the Kashmiri politician who is at the root of this problem. Any evidence needed? Just look at the way politicians conspired to kill the GST regime, making it an issue as the country’s onslaught on Kashmir’s autonomy. The internal politics of Kashmir-centric parties in their unhealthy competition to sound louder as champions of Kashmir lands the issue in the lap of separatists. The…

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Sidharth Malhotra shoots for Aiyaary in Gulmarg, Pahalgam

Editor

After staying away from picturesque Valley following the unrest in 2016, Bollywood has returned to Kashmir with Hindi movie star Sidharth Malhotra having shot in beautiful locales of Gulmarg and Pahalgam recently for his upcoming movie ‘Aiyaary’. The resumption of Bollywood shooting has been termed a welcome move by the tourism players in Kashmir, who have been facing the brunt of negative publicity by some sections of national media. Last year, as per tourism officials, various film projects which were scheduled to be shot in Kashmir were cancelled due to…

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Tourism Kashmir in Dire Straits

Editor

Kashmir and tourism are more often taken as synonymous terms.As the valley of Kashmir is rich with scenic natural beauty that has no other analogy in the world. It is rightly called ‘paradise on earth’. Cradled in the lap of splendid mountains of the Himalayas, Kashmir is the most gorgeous place on earth. On visiting the Valley of Kashmir, Jehangir, a renowned Mughal King, is said to have exclaimed: “If there is paradise anywhere on earth, it is here, it is here, and it is here. But currently With every…

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LPG consumers in Kashmir deprived of gas subsidy

Editor

Domestic gas consumers in Kashmir complain that their LPG subsidy amount is not being forwarded to their bank account from last several months. While the consumers blame the oil marketing companies of depriving them of their subsidy, as these OMC do not forward the details to National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). However, the OMC say that they forward the information on time and it is due to other reasons that the subsidy payment gets delayed. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) which is an umbrella organization for all retail…

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State won’t surrender special powers, assures Haseeb Drabu: GST Row

Editor

A day before the crucial all-party meeting on the goods and services tax (GST), businessmen and hoteliers of the Kashmir valley met Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu and were yet again given the assurance that the new law would not have an effect on J&K’s special status. The marathon meeting with the Finance Minister that lasted around three hours comes a day after the business community met Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, where they unanimously opposed the extension of the GST to the state, fearing it would affect Article 370. “Our stand…

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