Category: Community

Religious groups step up liquor ban demand in Kashmir

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State government rejects call for prohibition saying consumption is a ‘matter of choice’ Religious groups in Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir have stepped up a campaign for a statewide blanket ban on alcohol. A ban would have the overwhelming support of the Kashmiri people, they said. The state government ruled out imposing a ban last week amid calls for the introduction of prohibition by asserting that it cannot choke people’s freedom of choice. “There is a demand to ban liquor but I believe that the issue needs to be addressed on…

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HC orders doctor’s reinstatement

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The J&K High Court has ordered the reinstatement of a doctor who was declared deadwood and his service terminated by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government last year along with 62 other officials. In its order issued today on a writ challenging termination of his service, the High Court ordered the reinstatement of Dr Riyaz Ahmad Dar, who was medical officer in Medical Supplies Corporation. “The petition is allowed. The impugned order of 2015 is quashed. Respondents are directed to take the petitioner back into service and grant him all consequential benefits,”…

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DAK anguished at Govt refusal to ban liquor

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‘Minister’s remark on alcohol provocative’ Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) today expressed deep anguish at refusal of government to ban sale and trade of liquor in Jammu and Kashmir (JK). While in many states alcohol is banned for public safety, President DAK Dr Nisar ul Hassan in a statement said that liquor is being promoted in JK putting lives of people at risk. Finance Minister’s remark on the floor of the house that there should be freedom of choice for alcohol is highly provocative. This statement from a Muslim Minister is…

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J&K Govt rules out ban on liquor, says freedom of choice can’t be enforced

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Jammu and Kashmir government today ruled out ban on sale or trade of liquor in the state, saying there is freedom of choice and decisions cannot be enforced on others. “There is a demand for banning liquor but I believe that the issue needs to be addressed on the basis of freedom of choice,” Minister for Finance Haseeb Drabu said while speaking during the Zero Hour in the Legislative Council. “As a state policy, we cannot enforce our decisions on others, there is a freedom of choice and let the…

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Muslim League accuses Radisson Blu management of harassing Muslim employees

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After the recent Abaya ban controversy at Delhi Public School (DPS) Athwajan Srinagar it is now Masrat Alam led Jammu Kashmir Muslim League that has alleged Radisson Blu management after taking control of the Mumtaz Group of Hotels in Kashmir is forcing local hotel employees to shave their beard and those who don’t oblige are being fired from the job. In a statement to news agency CNS, Muslim League General Secretary Muhammad Rafiq Ganaie said that Radisson Blu General Manager at Grand Mumtaz Hotel Srinagar Raj Deep has been forcing…

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Cabinet okays supply of atta, wheat in 75:25 ratio

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The state Cabinet which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved various decisions here today. The Cabinet approved the proposal to allow the CA&PD Department to grind 75 per cent wheat out of the total allocation for distribution among the consumers into “atta” (flour). Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), wheat is supplied at a highly subsidised rate of Rs 2 per kg but the NFSA does not provide grinding charges for wheat. When the CA&PD Department supplied wheat to the ration-card holders, a section, especially…

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Amnesty for Kashmir’s ‘misguided’ youth : CM’s Eid Gift

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In a goodwill gesture before Eid-ul-Fitr, the Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to grant amnesty to the Kashmiri youth facing charges for their involvement in protests and stone-throwing over the years. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said in the Assembly that the home department has been told to prepare a list of the youth booked under various criminal charges. She said her government will study these cases and grant amnesty to those willing to shun the path of violence and lead normal lives. Mehbooba called these youth “misguided” and declared…

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No policy to check growing number of private vehicles: Transport Minister

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The state government has no particular policy in place to check the growing number of private vehicles in the state as they are the major cause of congestion on roads and pollution. This was disclosed in a reply by Minister of State for Transport Sunil Sharma in the House to a question raised by BJP MLC Ramesh Arora about the status of number of private vehicles and public transport in the state. The MLC, talking to Kashmir POST, said since his question received “improper reply”, it was moved for discussion…

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Govt deputes 12 KAS officers for yatra arrangements

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The state government has approved the deputation of 12 senior KAS officers to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) for being deployed as camp directors and additional camp directors at various camps set up along the route to the Amarnath shrine. According to an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD), the KAS officers have been deputed on a short-term basis with effect from today till the yatra ends. “The controlling officers of these officers shall relieve them immediately enabling them to report at Raj Bhawan today. The exact deployment…

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DPS students protest against Abaya BAN

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Students at Delhi Public School (DPS) Athwajan here staged protest after school authorities “forced” a female teacher to resign for wearing Abaya in school. The DPS students boycotted their classes and staged protests terming the move by the school authorities as “interference in the religious affairs.” Protesting students also launched campaign on social networking demanding apology to the teacher by the school authority. “Our teacher was forced to resign after she chose Islamic dress code over her job. We cannot remain silent. School authorities must come clear what is their…

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