JK awaits Centre’s nod to extend permit for foreigners

The Jammu and Kashmir government today said a reminder has been sent to the Centre on its proposal to permit foreign tourists to visit some hitherto restricted areas in Nubra valley bordering Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PaK) and China in the Ladakh region. The state government has requested the Ministry of Home Affairs to extend the inner line permit for foreign tourists further from Panamik to Warshi, including Yarma-Gompa and Yarma-Gonbo monasteries in Nubra valley, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in a written reply in the state Assembly. Replying to Congress MLA…

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Amarnath Yatra begins from today, first batch of pilgrims leaves Jammu

The first batch of 1,138 pilgrims left Jammu on Friday for this year`s Amarnath Yatra that begins from Saturday. State Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, junior minister Priya Sethi and Lok Sabha member Jugal Kishore flagged off the first batch of pilgrims from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in winter capital Jammu at 5 am on Friday. There are 900 males, 225 females and 13 children in the first batch which left in 13 buses, 24 mini-buses and other modes of public and private conveyance in a convoy guarded by the…

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Shops raided in central market for selling fake Kashmiri artefacts

The government today raided shops at Central Market for allegedly selling counterfeit Kashmiri handicrafts despite having been given shops at a meagre rent of Rs 15 per month at the business hub of Srinagar. “We raided a few shops at Kashmir Haat adjacent to Masjid Bilal on Wednesday over the complaints of sale of counterfeit artefacts,” Deputy Director (Quality Control) of the Handicrafts Department Sumaira Shamim told Kashmir POST. Sumaira said that the inspection team would file a report about the quality of the samples of artefacts picked up from…

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Books & Coffee in Kashmir has a new address

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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