Category: Business

Business

Protesting flood hit-traders seek rehab, threaten to intensify stir

Editor

A faction of the Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) staged a protest near the Press Enclave here today demanding suitable rehabilitation for the flood-hit businessmen. The KTMF members led by Mohammad Sadiq Baqal carried a banner in favour of their demands and raised slogans against the government. The protestors flayed the government for failing to rehabilitate them. They warned of dire consequences if their demands were not met at the earliest. “Our houses, shops remained submerged in 10 to 12 feet water during (September 2014) floods. Even though we…

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JK as safe as any other place in the world: Farooq Shah

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Making a fresh pitch to attract tourists, Jammu and Kashmir government today said the state is the “best” destination for travellers in the country and it is as safe as any other place in the world. “When it comes to J&K, as a tourist destination, we are the best in the country. Problem lies with this false perception that J&K is not safe. Let me tell you it’s as safe as any other place in the world. “And if it’s about a safety certificate, I wonder if any other state…

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Road contractors want three-year maintenance clause changed

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Contractors involved in blacktopping and construction of roads in Jammu are making renewed efforts to change the three-year maintenance-guarantee rider included by the Roads and Building (R&B) Department during the PDP-BJP government. The clause was included to end the use of substandard material while laying road network. Feeling the pinch as they are now accountable for works undertaken by them, majority of the contractors want the deficit liability clause lowered to one year as was the norm earlier to repair or reconstruct any newly laid road if its condition deteriorates…

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Kashmiri cuisine biggest attraction for tourists: Shah

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JKTDC to organize food festivals across India  Secretary Tourism Farooq A Shah said J&K state is diverse and rich in its culture and cuisine which has international appeal. He said Kashmir’s rich cuisine has international appeal and to further promote it JKTDC would organize food festivals across India. He was giving details of recently organised food festival during Bharat Parvah organised by Ministry of Tourism GoI on the back ramp pads of reds fort during the republic day which saw the participation of all the states of India including the…

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‘Valley produces surplus milk’

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No facility to convert surplus quantity into its other products: Animal Husbandry  Kashmir total milk production in the last financial year of 2014-15 reached 1306.23 metric tons against the target of 1362.00 metric tons which according to Animal Husbandry department is still surplus. “We produce milk in surplus of Indian Council of Medical Research recommendations of 230ml to 250ml per capita,” said Technical Officer General at Animal Husbandry department, Dr Anjum Andrabi. He, however, said there is no facility in Valley or with farmers to convert surplus milk into other…

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JK’s ‘over dependence’ on paramilitary forces a drain on exchequer

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The deployment of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPMFs) in J&K is set to take a toll on its cash-starved economy, with the forces seeking money from the State for providing their “assistance.” Official documents in possession of KP reveal that the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)—the paramilitary force falling under the jurisdiction of Union Ministry of Home Affairs—has charged J&K Rs 7.68 crore for utilizing services of its men in maintaining internal security in the State. In a communiqué (NO.11/28014/ITBP/IS. duty/Dep.Charges/Service Tax/2015-16,Dated, September 4, 2015) , the Directorate General of ITBP has…

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It’s official: Flood-affected traders won’t get any compensation

Editor

The flood-affected traders and businessmen in Kashmir—who suffered huge losses in the September-2014 floods—won’t be getting any compensation as promised to them by the central and state government from time to time. Official sources disclosed to KP that the Government of India has decided against rehabilitating the flood-hit traders and provide interest subvention instead of any compensation. “After studying the contours of Rs 80000-crore package announced by the Prime Minister NarendraModi in Srinagar last year, it has come to the fore the Rs 800 crore earmarked for the business losses will…

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Shikaras in troubled waters

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Owner struggle to make ends meet While Shikaras represent pristine beauty of Kashmir on magazine covers, tourist guides and picture postcards, their owners struggle to make ends meet. “For a Shakara waala, it’s very hard to make his ends meet, especially during winters when the influx of tourists is at its lowest,” said Ghulam Muhammad (70), a Shikara owner from Abi- Nowpora. “We start our day at 10 in the morning and wait for a customer. Sometimes even days go by without earning anything. We can hardly earn two square…

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Tourism Dept organises food festival on Republic Day

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The Tourism Department organised a food festival on the occasion of Republic Day in New Delhi yesterday. Secretary Tourism Farooq Shah said the festival was held during ‘Bharat Parvah’ organised by the Union Ministry of Tourism. He termed the food festivals as ‘important and effective medium’ to promote the state as a tourism destination. Manager of JKTDC Food Court CB Koul said the Kashmiri cuisine was liked and appreciated by all visitors and participants which was an ‘encouraging sign’. The secretary said the JKTDC would organise food festivals across the…

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Buddhist Mahakumbh at 12,000ft in July 2016

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Ladakh to host two-day event at Hemis, the biggest monastery in the region Ladakh — the land of high passes — will host the two-day “Mahakumbh of the Himalayas” on July 14 and 15 this year. The event is expected to be attended by thousands of local and foreign visitors. The “Mahakumbh” will be organised at Hemis, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. It will be an extended rendition of the annual Hemis festival observed at the monastery, marking celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava (8th century Buddhist master).…

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