JK government today said the transfer of power projects from National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) was an important part of the developmental agenda of BJP-PDP coalition government and the state is actively pursuing the transfer of these projects. In a written reply to the question of Devender Rana of National Conference in Legislative Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who also holds the power portfolio, said the government is actively pursuing the transfer of power projects. Rana had asked if the government has approached the Centre to transfer Dul Hasti,…
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Business
Nothing to beat unrest blues, rues Kashmir Inc
The Budget 2017-18 announced by Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu today failed to impress Valley-based businessmen and tourism stakeholders. Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) president Mushtaq Ahmad Wani said there was nothing much for the handicrafts, tourism and horticulture sector. “There is nothing for Kashmir economy’s main sectors like handicrafts, tourism and horticulture. For long, we have been demanding that the tourism sector should get industry sector benefits. However, our demand has not been incorporated in the budget,” said Wani, who is also a hotelier. He said the tourism…
Read MorePahalgam resort turning into winter tourism destination
The Tourism Department has started ice climbing inPahalgam to attract tourists and adventure sports lovers. By introducing the adventure sport on a frozen waterfall, the department is aiming to bring Pahalgam on the winter tourism calendar. Gulmarg has mainly remained the hub of winter tourism in the Valley. “Ice climbing is an internationally acclaimed sport. Earlier, this sport was possible only in Ladakh, which remains closed in winter. By holding a camp in Pahalgam that saw a participation of 27 local and national players, we want to make Pahalgam a…
Read MoreWork on 1856-MW Sawalkote Hydel Project to commence soon
As the major works on 1856-MW Sawalkote Hydel Power Project are going to begin soon, district administration Ramban today reviewed pre-construction activities of the project here. District Development Commissioner, Ramban, Mohammad Aijaz chaired the joint meeting of engineers and managers of construction companies, according to an official statement issued here. The meeting was informed that the project would involve a total of 1400 hectare of land including the submergence part from main site upto Ramban town and at present Rs 5 crore have been disbursed among the land owners for…
Read MoreOnline Travel Portal owners booked for cheating
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has lodged a complaint against a travel portal for unlawful bookings and sale of helicopter tickets to pilgrims travelling from Katra to Sanjichhat and back for performing “darshan” at the holy cave shrine of Goddess Vaishno Devi in Reasi district. According to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the board, AK Sahu, the sale of helicopter tickets for pilgrims travelling from Katra to Sanjichhat and back was the sole prerogative of the CEO and his designated authorities and he has not authorised any…
Read MoreAirAsia to operate on Srinagar route from Feb 19
Malaysian airline mulls international flight to Bangkok from Srinagar in summer ‘It will help increase both domestic and foreign tourist flow to Kashmir’ ‘It will also help regulate air fare during peak season’ In a much needed boost to the tourism sector in Kashmir, the first ever foreign airline, AirAsia, will be operating on Srinagar route from February 19 this year. The low cost airline is also mulling to introduce international flights from Srinagar to Bangkok later. The Malaysian based carrier will operate morning and late evening flights from Srinagar…
Read MoreMNCs to Wholesalers: Meet sales targets or lose distribution rights
In a bizarre move, some national and multinational companies are threatening their Kashmir based wholesalers of snatching them of distribution rights of their products for failing to meet their yearly sales targets. Kashmir, which is primarily a consumer economy, has witnessed this year little economic activity and the tourism was completely off due to five-month long unrest. Wholesalers here say these MNC providing various product lines such as FMCGs, pharmaceutical, garments and other products despite knowing the situation which was not suitable for meeting the targets are pressurizing to force…
Read MoreWinter festival in Gulmarg, Snow carnival in Pahalgam on cards
JK gears up to woo back tourists As tourism sector has witnessed slump during past five months of unrest in Kashmir, the tourism department in a bid to bring the hospitality sector back on track has announced to organize winter festival in Gulmarg and snow carnival in Pahalgam to woo backpackers and utilize the snow season by showcasing the winter activities here. This was announced by the Secretary Tourism, Farooq Shah to media persons after chairing a meeting of tourism department, which was attended by various officials of the department…
Read MoreKashmir Totally Safe For Tourists: Tour Operators
Terming Kashmir as a safe place for tourists, a delegation of tour operators from different parts of the country, who were on a familiarisation tour of the Valley, today called upon the people to visit the “heaven on earth”, saying the atmosphere here was “totally positive.” “We have seen a total positive atmosphere here in the Valley right from the airport. Till now in these 20 years (since the militancy broke out in Kashmir), no untoward incident has happened with any tourist in Kashmir. They remained safe here, feel safe…
Read MoreGovt trying to create world-class tourist infra: Mehbooba Mufti
Describing tourism as the best mean to promote people-to-people engagement, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said her government was making efforts to create a world-class tourist infrastructure. “Tourism promotes people-to-people contact and tourists become goodwill ambassadors of a place. Like the maxim ? ‘seeing is believing’, a tourist can testify the veracity of the claim about a place only after visiting it,” she said. She dismissed the notion that the state was unsafe for tourists in the aftermath of months-long unrest in the Valley. “Jammu and…
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