Business Archives | Page 89 of 104

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

January 29, 2016 Editor

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…

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

January 29, 2016 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…

Shikaras in troubled waters

January 29, 2016 Editor

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…

Tourism Dept organises food festival on Republic Day

January 28, 2016 Editor

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…

Buddhist Mahakumbh at 12,000ft in July 2016

January 25, 2016 Editor

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).…

70% wheat crop in JK hit by dry spell

January 25, 2016 Editor

Scientists blame climate change, suggest adaptation The food crisis in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to worsen as nearly 70 per cent of this year’s wheat crop has already been damaged due to an unprecedented dry spell at crown root initiation (CRI) stage of rabi crop. According to scientists, this dry spell is a result of climate change. With the wheat crop in the non-irrigated ‘kandi’ belt already damaged, the Agriculture Department has pressed the panic button by asking the Irrigation Department not to close the gates of Ranbir Canal…

Kashmir tour operators explore attracting Arab nationals for Sufi circuits

January 25, 2016 Editor

To launch marketing campaign in Arab Travel Mart In the event of steep downfall of leisure tourism in Kashmir, travel agents are exploring religious tourism to market Valley’s prime religious sites in the Muslim majority cities in India and abroad, Nasir Shah of CNE Luxury Holidays, Sheikh Ashiq of Asia Pearl Tourism LLC, Dubai and Musadiq Shah of Pride of Kashmir Dubai have started a market campaign of Kashmir’s Sufi sites to Indians living abroad and to Arab nationals of UAE. “Most of people here are not aware huge Sufi…

CVPPL fails to construct over 2000 MWs power projects

January 23, 2016 Editor

Electricity Woes ; Work yet to start on 1000 MWs Pakal Dul, 624 MWs Kiru and 540 MWs Kwar project The Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd (CVPPL) has failed to construct the key power projects including the largest project of 1000 MWs Pakal Dul project. According to officials, work is yet to start over 1000 MWs Pakal Dul, 624 MWs Kiru and 540 MWs Kwar power projects even as the CVVPL had earlier scheduled to start the projects in 2014. CVPPL had informed the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) last year…

Amid Startup India hype, startups in Kashmir await paradigm shift

January 23, 2016January 23, 2016 Editor

Throwing the catchphrase ‘Startup India, Standup India’ , PM Narendra Modi announced a plethora of initiatives last week to boost entrepreneurship in the country that already ranks third in the global startup ecosystem, according to IT industry body Nasscom. Being labelled a head-start – a three-year tax holiday, business incubators, research parks, among other initiatives and Rs 10,000 cr start-up fund – have been promised by the PM to give wings to his ambitious project. Whether or not the budding startups would be able to ‘take the leap of faith’…

Less snowfall hits winter sports in Gulmarg

January 22, 2016 Editor

The change in climate conditions that have resulted in less or no snowfall in Kashmir this winter season has hit winter sports activities at Gulmarg. Gulmarg, known all over World for its winter sports activities has not received favorable amount of snowfall this season. In plains, Gulmarg bowl, this winter season so far snowfall has been only around one-feet while as in upper reaches of Apharwat it has been around three-feet. Usually Gulmarg used to remain abuzz with sports activities at this time of the year with skiers from all…