Advance registration starts today for Amarnath Yatra 2016

Shrine board asks pilgrims to follow do’s and don’ts The advance registration of pilgrims for Amarnath yatra will commence tomorrow all over the country for both the Baltal and Chandanwari routes through 432 designated bank branches of Punjab National Bank, J&K Bank and Yes Bank. This year’s 48-day yatra will commence simultaneously on both routes from July 2 and culminate on Raksha Bandhan, August 18. In an official statement, PK Tripathi, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), said the step-by-step procedure which the pilgrims needed to follow to…

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Federation of Industries Jammu & Kashmir meets Governor

A joint delegation of Federation of Industries, Jammu (FOIJ) and Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK), met Governor N.N Vohra, at the Civil Secretariat here today. The delegation discussed with the Governor various issues regarding the development of the industrial sector in the State. The matters raised included the need of taking various measures for promoting fresh investment in the State, including the extension of Central Excise Duty and Income Tax Holidays, presently available to the industrial units till 2017. The delegation requested the Governor for early implementation of the…

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Transporters in Kashmir threaten wheel-jam

The Kashmir-based transporters Saturday threatened wheel-jam strike in Kashmir alleging that they are being harassed at various check points from Punjab to Srinagar. “If the harassment against the transporters won’t stop, we will go on indefinite strike,” the transporters said. Chairman, All Goods Transport Companies – a constituent of KEA, M S Ronga at a press conference here said:  “There is an attempt by the centre to crush Kashmir economy.” Accusing the mainstream politicians of pushing people to “uncertainty” by their “unclear stand” on government formation, he said: “If the…

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Despite spending Rs 60 cr in 5 yrs, CVPP yet to award projects

The Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) is yet to award any of the three proposed projects for construction despite spending over Rs 60 crore on salaries and other office expenditures in the past five years. The CVPP even cancelled the tenders last week, invited in 2011 for the construction of the 1000 MW Pakal Dul hydroelectric power project on Marusadar, a tributary of the Chenab in Kishtwar district. A CVPP official said in the past five years, the company had spent over Rs 60 crore on office expenditures while there…

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Government mulling to and fro night flights in Kashmir

Authorities on Friday discussed modalities for starting to and fro night flights in Kashmir valley and a DGCA team is expected to arrive here next month to take stock of the facilities at Srinagar International Airport. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, held a meeting to review the functioning of Srinagar airport and discuss modalities to start night landing of flights at the airport, an official spokesman said. “The meeting was informed that the Indian Air Force had given the permission to start night flights at Srinagar airport in May…

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Despite huge potential, valley produces only 4000 quintals of honey

The official figures reveal that Kashmir has only 40,000 bee colonies which experts say is less than half of the potential of the valley that has a diversity of flora.  Even as Kashmir has a huge potential for honey production, the valley produces only 4000 quintals of honey every year. The government has failed to attract people towards beekeeping and there are only 2500 beekeepers registered with J&K’s Apiculture department. The official figures reveal that Kashmir has only 40,000 bee colonies which experts say is less than half of the…

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Tourism in Jammu feels the heat of Jat stir

The Jat agitation in Haryana has severely affected tourism and business activities in the state as rail and road connectivity continue to be suspended for the fourth consecutive day today. The business community of the state has been severely affected due to the Jat agitation in Haryana as their products couldn’t reach the state since last Friday. The tourism sector is facing a lot of hardships due to suspended trains and buses since Saturday and all taxi operators, hoteliers and other tourism-related business here are facing the heat of the…

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Kashmiri trucker attacked in Haryana

A Kashmiri trucker was attacked and his vehicle burnt in Haryana where violent agitation by Jats over reservation quota issue from last few days has crippled normal life. A violent mob attacked the truck bearing registration number JK05C-8089 from Sopore in Morthal Panipat area of Haryana. Owner of the truck, Shameem Ahmad Tantray of Gund Brath area of Sopore told a Srinagar-based daily that he was informed about the incident by his driver, Firdous Ahmed. He said that the unruly mob set his truck on fire. He said that the…

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Non-local skilled workers take up Kashmir’s famed art

Wood Carving In Its Last Throes Manzoor Ahmed Shah, 57-years-old, has seen the best of the times when the downtown area in Srinagar had hundreds of wood carving artisans. However, at present skilled artisans, knowing the intricate details of wood carving, can be counted on finger tips. Ironically, non-local skilled workers working in factories in Kashmir are taking up the wood carving as their means of livelihood. “Only few artisans are now working on wood,” said Shah in a low tone. Products made of walnut wood artistically designed by the…

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60% increase in tourist arrivals to Kashmir this Feb

In what would warm the cockles of tourism traders, the tourist arrivals to Kashmir in February so far have gone up by an impressive 60 per cent. According to official figures a total of 45,129 tourists arrived this month so far in Kashmir. Last year the figure for the entire month was 17,062 while a year earlier it was 21,097. “Even though last year’s tourist footfall was extremely low on the back of massive floods in 2014, the response this year is positive,” Ghulam Jeelani Zargar, Deputy Director (Recreation) JK…

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