Category: Business

Business

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Valley bizmen oppose GST, Mehbooba allays fears over Art 370

Editor

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…

Read More

NC leaders call on Guv, seek APM on GST

Editor

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…

Read More

Valley traders seek debate on new tax regime

Editor

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,…

Read More

2 lakh devotees secure Amarnath yatra registration for 2017

Editor

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…

Read More

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

Editor

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…

Read More

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

Editor

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…

Read More