Category: Business

Business

Books & Coffee in Kashmir has a new address

Editor

Locals and tourists have been flocking to a new book shop-cum-cafe in a picture-perfect setting in Indian-administered Kashmir. Ringed by mountains and set on a tiny island in Dal Lake, which is often described as the “jewel of Srinagar”, the bookstore has 80,000 titles on offer, including books on Kashmir’s history, heritage, culture, travel, religion and literature. Although it has only been a few weeks since it opened, Gulshan Books cafe has already had thousands of visitors. There’s a reading room attached to the shop where 1,500 titles are available…

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Kashmiri gives new identity to pashmina in world market

Editor

As power looms pose a threat to the pashmina shawl industry in the Valley, a French and Kashmiri entrepreneur are together trying to revive the industry and give it a new identity. For the first time in 500 years since the shawl industry was commercialised by the Muslim rulers of the Valley, an attempt has been made to create a global brand to sustain not only the shawl artisans but also give a new lease of life to the sector which is on the verge of collapse due to the…

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624 MW Kiru hydel project gets green nod

Editor

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has given clearance to the 624-MW Kiru hydroelectric project in the state. The forest clearance for the Rs 4,640.88-crore project has already been accorded by the state government on May 19. The green clearance for the project is a major achievement for the Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) which took it over from the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) in June 2013. Now, within three years, it has obtained all major approvals. The project is likely to be completed in 54…

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Violence hurting JK’s economy : Mehbooba Mufti

Editor

Against the backdrop of terror attack on CRPF bus, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today said violence is hurting the state’s economic interests, with tourism being the biggest casualty, and sought the support of the people in maintaining peace. “Unfortunately, the state’s tourism and business fraternity has to suffer the brunt when atmosphere of peace is disturbed in the valley by violent incidents,” Ms Mufti said while talking to the members of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Transport and Culture in Srinagar. She noted that tourism is directly…

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KCCI to protest against online portals for marginalising tourism business

Editor

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) on Friday said that the trade body would stage a protest against what it said marginalisation of the business of tour operators of Kashmir by Online Travel Portals (OTPs). A statement issued here termed it an “unethical” business way by offering Discounts or Coupons or Vouchers to customers who book Kashmir Packages, particularly Hotel bookings online. “This unethical & illegal practice by these OTP’s have made Tour/Travel operators to suffer badly and if this trend continues, it will render them jobless leading…

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Due to JK Govt’s inability, Himachal runs bus service from Basohli

Editor

After cashing the tourism potential of Ladakh region, Himachal Pradesh government is now making inroads in Jammu and Kashmir through Atal Setu by providing much needed bus service to scenic Bani-Basohli-Sarthal Belt of Kathua district. Sources said that after commissioning of Atal Setu, North India’s first cable stayed bridge connecting three northern states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, people of Bani- Basohli approached Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, Government of India, and requested for provision of interstate connectivity to Heritage Basohli town. “Acting upon this, Government…

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545 industrial units set up by non-state subjects in JK: Govt

Editor

Amid controversy over new industrial policy in Jammu and Kashmir, the government in a startling revelation on Monday said 545 industrial units have been established in the state including 47 in Kashmir by non-state subjects. This was stated in a written reply by the government to a query by MLC Ajatshatru Singh during the ongoing budget session in the Legislative Council. Singh had sought information about the number of industrial units set up by outsiders in the state.The government in its reply said that 545 industrial units including 47 in…

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Legislative Council rejects resolution on making LoC travel hassle-free

Editor

The Legislative Council on Monday rejected a private member resolution moved by a National Conference lawmaker for converting the LoC trade facilitation centres into modern travel and trade centres and making cross-LoC travel more hassle-free for cultural troupes, students, pilgrims, patients and tourists. While initiating the debate on the resolution, MLC Shenaz Ganai said the House should adopt her resolution for taking steps to convert the LoC trade centres into modern travel and trade centres and allow banking at each centre. She also suggested that there should be a multiple-entry…

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Is Asia’s largest Apple farm in Kashmir? No clue says Govt 5 gardeners look after thousands of kanals

Editor

The state government has no clue if the 2600 Kanal apple producing farm in south Kashmir’s Zainapora village of Shopian is the “largest apple farm in Asia or in the world.” While it is being widely believed in Kashmir that the Horticulture Development farm at Zainapora is the largest in Asia, but officially there is no confirmation about it. “We don’t know about the status of this apple producing farm if it is the largest in Asia or in the world. But in J&K, it is the largest apple farm,”…

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No change in contentious Industrial Policy

Editor

20 % industrial estate land reserved for locals: Govt The state government Wednesday said it will continue to provide land on lease for 90 years to the entrepreneurs under the 2016 Industrial Policy even as it had earlier stated that the policy is being reexamined in view of the apprehensions about the inclusion of non-state subjects. Replying to the cut motions moved by opposition members including National Conference’s Ali Mohammad Sagar and Javed Rana, Industries Minister, Chandra Prakash Ganga said the government has made it clear that the land would…

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