General News Archives | Page 123 of 362

Delimitation panel for J&K gets two-month extension

February 23, 2022 Editor

Amid uproar by political parties over its draft report, the Delimitation Commission for J&K has been given two months’ extension in its tenure to complete its task of redrawing the Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory (UT). The term of the commission had to end on March 6. The move came two days after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the announcement for Assembly elections in J&K will be held within eight months. In a gazette notification, dated February 21, the Centre said, “In exercise of powers conferred under Section…

National Conference eyesore for those opposing inclusiveness: Farooq Abdullah

February 22, 2022 Editor

National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah Monday on Monday exhorted the party’s cadre across Jammu and Kashmir to remain steadfast in their resolve of serving the people and strengthening bonds of inclusiveness—the political philosophy of the party that has withstood the test of times. Dr Abdullah was reviewing the functioning of the party units in Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley regions of the Jammu province. “Emergence of National Conference as a big political force is an eyesore for elements opposed to J&K’s spirit of amity, brotherhood, harmony and inclusiveness,” he…

J&K logs 104 Covid infections; lowest in 53 days

February 22, 2022 Editor

Jammu and Kashmir witnessed one Covid-related death on Monday, while recording 104 fresh infections, the lowest daily total since December 30, an official health bulletin said. On Sunday, the union territory had logged 151 infections. The third wave of Covid, which peaked on January 25 with 14 deaths and 6,570 cases, has now ebbed with below 200 daily cases for the past four days. As many as 360 patients recovered, prompting the active cases to drop to 1,692. The officials said 54,641 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours…

Delimitation exercise about to be over, Polls likely in 6-8 months: Amit Shah

February 22, 2022 Editor

Elections in Kashmir will be held within six to eight months of the delimitation exercise being wrapped up in the Union Territory, Home Minister Amit Shah has said in an exclusive interview. “The delimitation exercise is about to get over. After that, within six-eight months, the elections will be held. There is no confusion,” Amit Shah said. Asked about Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan’s recent statement that New Delhi and Islamabad should resolve their issues, especially Kashmir, together, Shah said: “Kashmir is an integral part of India. There is no…

Mother tongue underlying component of one’s identity: Farooq Abdullah

February 21, 2022 Editor

National Conference president and MP Farooq Abdullah on Sunday said that mother tongue is an underlying component of one’s culture and identity, and every effort should be made to protect the linguistic diversity of Jammu and Kashmir. In his message on International Mother Tongue Day, Abdullah said the mother tongue must be the medium of instruction in schools, especially at formative stages. “It lays a strong foundation for the expression of creativity and personality development. It also fosters creativity at the formative stages. As far as the Kashmiri language is…

To punish BJP, people must support PAGD: Mehbooba Mufti

February 21, 2022 Editor

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday urged people to vote for the PAGD allies in the next J&K Assembly polls to defeat the BJP and its associates, which, she said, were hampering the case of restoration of the Union Territory’s special status in the apex court. She also reiterated her call for a peaceful struggle for the restoration of the special status of J&K.

National Conference workers to gear up for ‘Big Challenge’ exhorts Farooq Abdullah

February 17, 2022 Editor

Exhorting the party cadre to gear up for the “big challenge” being faced by the Jammu and Kashmir and work to further strengthen the National Conference at every level, party president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said they are committed to assuage the urges and aspirations of every segment of the society in all regions and sub-regions Interacting with various delegations and welcoming new entrants into the party at a brief function here, Abdullah said that the National Conference was deeply rooted in every nook and corner, and the cadre must…

Two years after J&K lost special status, outside investors stay away from Kashmir

February 3, 2022February 3, 2022 Editor

By: Safwat Zargar More than two years after Delhi scrapped statehood and autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, the Centre’s push to attract outside investment to the Kashmir valley remains a non-starter. Last year, the Union Territory administration set up an online portal, InvestJK, “a single-window clearance system for ease of doing business in J&K.” Potential investors can use this portal to apply for the allotment of land in long-term leases in Jammu and Kashmir. According to Mehmood Ahmad Shah, director of the industries and commerce department in Kashmir, “99.9% of…