Category: Business

Business

Govt to promote pilgrimage tourism with renewed push: Nirmal Singh

Editor

Government has decided to use social media to attract the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims to the potential tourist destinations and prolong their stay in the state. Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh, while reviewing the arrangements for the annual yatra here today, asked the tourism department to reach out to the pilgrims through social media to invite them to the places of attraction both in Kashmir and Jammu division. “The govt should keep record of pilgrims including their phone numbers at the time of registration, many also get short period SIM…

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Valley bizmen oppose GST, Mehbooba allays fears over Art 370

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Discussion with Finance Minister Drabu today, all-party meet tomorrow Top businessmen and hoteliers of the Kashmir valley today opposed the extension of the goods and services tax (GST) to J&K during a meeting with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. A delegation that included Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Mushtaq Ahmad Wani, J&K Hoteliers Club (JKHC) chairman Mushtaq Chaya and Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) chairman Mohammad Yaseen Khan unanimously opposed the implementation of the GST, saying it would erode the financial autonomy of J&K. “We all opposed the GST…

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NC leaders call on Guv, seek APM on GST

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The National Conference (NC) has urged the Governor to advise the state government to call an all-party meeting to have an extensive discussion on various aspects of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) being rolled out in the country from July 1. The delegation, led by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, conveyed to the Governor that an all-party meeting would allay the fears and concerns of various stakeholders and put the entire concept in public domain for an open debate. The delegation apprised the Governor of their concerns relating to…

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Valley traders seek debate on new tax regime

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Despite assurance from the government that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will not impact J&K’s special status, the Kashmir valley’s business community and tourism players are seeking a thorough debate before the new tax regime gets implemented. Besides debating the ramifications of the act over the state’s own financial authority, businessmen want to know the fate of the special tax concessions enjoyed by J&K on account of being a tourist destination. “We have been getting special benefits such as exemption of service tax for the hotel industry. VAT, too,…

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2 lakh devotees secure Amarnath yatra registration for 2017

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Nearly two lakh pilgrims have secured advance registration through the designated bank branches, group registration facility and booking of helicopter tickets for this year’s annual Amarnath yatra beginning from June 29. This information was given to Governor NN Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), by Umang Narula, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the shrine board, at a review meeting here today. The registration of pilgrims is being provided from March 1 this year through 437 designated branches of Punjab National Bank, J&K Bank and YES Bank, located…

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GST from July 1, no impact on Article 370: Finance Minister

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The state is all set to roll out the new goods and services tax (GST) from July 1, as the J&K Cabinet has approved the draft to be passed in the special Assembly session being held from June 17 in Srinagar. This was announced by Finance Minister Haseeb A Drabu at a press conference after the Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti here today. The state Legislative Assembly would discuss the extension of the 101st Amendment to the Constitution to J&K. The extension had three…

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NIA raids, ‘Fake Reporting’ aimed to crush Kashmir Economy: KEA

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Chairman, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Muhammad Yasin Khan today alleged that the NIA raids on business houses in Kashmir and “fake reporting” by some New Delhi based channels point to “a conspiracy aimed to crush Kashmir economy.” Khan in a statement said, “After wounding the people of Kashmir through human rights abuses, the government wants the economic activities to bleed and it was because of this that some businessmen have either been raided or their names have been falsely reported by a section of media”. “Kashmir Inc is being systematically dragged…

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Indian news channels hell-bent to destroy Kashmir Tourism Industry

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Valley based tourism players on Monday appealed people to boycott watching Indian news channels which they claimed have been ‘portraying’ Kashmir affairs in negative way under a well planned manner to crush its economy. Addressing a press conference at a local hotel here, people associated with Kashmir tourism industry alleged that some selected Indian news channels are hell-bent on crushing state economy by portraying Kashmir in negative way in their news debates from dawn to dusk. Taking a jibe at the central government for supporting what they termed pseudo-nationalist news…

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JK to promote golf to attract tourists

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To attract tourists, CMMehbooba Mufti has called for promoting golf in the state as an important component of state’s tourism policy. Saying golf attracted the high-end tourists, she directed the department concerned to make efforts to promote golf in the state. The CM said this while chairing the governing body meetings of Royal Springs Golf Course, Srinagar, and Tawi Golf Course, Sidhra, here on Saturday. She said the golf courses in the state should be promoted by setting up stalls at various golfing venues across the country. As an additional…

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Sabzar Bhat’s killing hits tourism industry

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The tourist arrivals to Kashmir have taken hit after the killing of Hizb commander Sabzar Ahmad Bhat in an encounter on May 27. The months of May and June are considered to be the peak tourist season in Kashmir. The tourist arrivals had started to pick up and the service providers were hopping earning returns this year. However, the May 27 killing of Sabzar has again put dampener in the tourism activity. Secretary General Travel Agents Association of Kashmir Farooq Ahmed Kuthoo said there is a drastic change in tourists…

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