Achen controversy erupts amid real estate investments

Govt rejected land swap offer from private party over a decade ago While protests over dumping of garbage at Achen have again snowballed into a controversy between the residents and the Srinagar Municipal Corporation, the successive governments turned down the land swap offer from the private partners. We learnt landfill site wasn’t in use few years and there wasn’t any major problem. The city has city now turned into hostage over garbage disposal. Officials told the newspaper the major controversy erupted only in 2007, when a convoy of Srinagar Municipal Corporation…

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Kashmir fruit industry in doldrums

General Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Kisan Tehreek, Ghulam Nabi Malik today said the fruit industry of Kashmir is in doldrums and needs focused attention and huge public investment. In a statement here today, he said the horticulture is the most important income generating industry of J&K, and Kashmir is an ideal region in the world for growing fresh and dry fruits. “The demand for Kashmiri fruit within the country is huge and export potential is also very high,” he said. Malik said the fruit industry in Kashmir is generating Rs…

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Kashmir’s tulips to bloom in autumn also, Travel trade opposes the move

Director Floriculture Talat Parvez said they are planning to have two tulip blooms in a year in this garden. “We will have another tulip bloom during September – October which will further extend tourism season,” said Parvez. He said this year the department is experimenting on small area where few thousands of the tulips will blossom in autumn. “If it is successful, we will have lakhs of tulip blooms in next year autumn season.” When asked about the opposition shown by tour operators on keeping garden open for whole year,…

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Governor to present full-fledged annual budget

Drabu says new Govt can change it, Rather says never Governor Narendra Nath Vohra would soon present a full-fledged annual budget indicating a prolonged stalemate on government formation. Sources in the Raj Bhavan said Governor Vohra would present a full-fledged annual budget not a vote-on-account, which a caretaker government usually does for using funds for various items of expenditure like staff salaries. As the state legislature is in a suspended animation following the death of sitting chief minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed on January 7, the Governor, for avoiding a financial…

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Kashmir’s ‘Phiran’ reaches Pakistan fashion gala

Kashmir’s traditional ‘phiran’, an oversized gown, got a makeover at the PFDC Sunsilk Fashion Week 2016 here. Zara Shahjahan’s luxury collection titled ‘Sartorialist’ was a modern take on the ‘phiran’ (worn by Kashmiri people to guard against cold) and was coupled with a minimalistic and organic look. The designs looked royal and light by selection of earthy shades and soft pastels. In fact, Shahjahan also chose Kashmir’s famous embroidery — Ari work — for her designs. Ari was done on cotton linen with contemporary chic detailing and edgy silhouettes. Her…

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TAAK demands cap on bookings by travel portals

Frisking at Cheshmashahi, foreign registration at Sgr airport should go Travel Agents Association of Kashmir (TAAK) has voiced concern over the direct bookings made by online travel portal affecting local travel agents and tour operators. In a recent meeting with Principal Secretary Tourism Sandip Nayak, a delegation of TAAK discussed various issues confronting tourism sector in the Valley. TAAK delegation was represented by Vice President Malik Hamidullah Bazaz, Secretary General Farooq A Kuthoo, Former President Peerzada Faiyaz, Finance Secretary Habibullah Pandaw, chief organizer Showkat Ahmed, Publicity Secretary Irfan Mir besides EC…

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Tourists throng Almond Alcove for ‘Jashne Amada Bahar’

The Jammu & Kashmir Bank organised ‘Jashne Amada Bahar’, a festival to welcome the onset of spring season, at the ‘Badam Vaer’ (Almond Alcove) here today. “A number of stalls displaying traditional handicraft products of Kashmir and traditional food stalls were also set up by the bank on the occasion for visitors. Despite inclement weather, the festival was marked by good number of people, including tourists,” a J&K Bank spokesman said. Executive presidents of the bank Parvez Ahmad and Abdul Rauf Bhat and senior president Mohammad Syed Wani and other…

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Emergency centre to be set up at Chandanwari during Amarnath Yatra

A joint emergency operation centre would be set up at Chandanwari to meet any eventuality during the annual pilgrimage to Amarnath cave shrine. A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting yesterday chaired by District Development Commissioner, Anantnag, Muneer-ul-Islam, to review the arrangements for the Amarnath Yatra which begins on July 2. The joint emergency operation centre would be set up at Chandanwari along Pahalgam-cave route, an official spokesperson said. Regarding construction and upgradation of alternative routes, he said Pahalagam Development Authority has been asked to take immediate…

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ATOAK seeks permission for adventure activities in Valley

Holds meeting with Principal Secretary Tourism Adventure Tour Operators Association of Kashmir (ATOAK) has sought permission from department of tourism for organizing adventure activities at different locations in Valley. ATOAK also made several demands from Principal Secretary Tourism Sandip Naik in a meeting with him here at SKICC. The delegation of ATOAK was led by its president Rauf Tramboo. Among others who were present in the meeting were Director Tourism Kashmir Mahmood Ahmad Shah, Managing Director Cable Car Corporation and CEO Gulmarg Nazir Ahmad Mir and Deputy Director Tourism publicity…

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BSNL starts 4G Wi Fi service at Srinagar International Airport

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Kashmir has added yet another feather in its cap by commissioning state of art 4G based WiFi HotSpot services at Srinagar International Airport, an official statement said on Friday. The services were inaugurated by Dr. Asgar H. Samoon Divisional Commissioner Kashmir at Srinagar Airport in presence of Mohammad Salim Beg, General Manager Telecom , Kashmir, M G Mufti, DGM Srinagar, R. K. Shinde, Director Airport and Manzoor Ahmad, SSP (AHJ) Srinagar. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Asgar H. Samoon welcomed the initiative of the Company and…

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