General News Archives | Page 28 of 350

Fresh Spell of Snowfall Forecast as Kashmir Transitions from Chillai Kalan to Chillai Khurd

February 6, 2025 Editor

MeT forecasts fresh spell of snowfall; The changing weather pattern comes as winter gradually transitions from the harsh “Chillai Kalan” to the milder phases of “Chillai Khurd” and “Chillai Bacha” Srinagar, Feb 4: A fresh spell of light to moderate snowfall is expected across the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, while the plains, particularly in South Kashmir, are likely to experience light snowfall. The changing weather pattern comes as winter gradually transitions from the harsh “Chillai Kalan” to the milder phases of “Chillai Khurd” and “Chillai Bacha”. In the…

Omar Abdullah Chairs Pre-Budget Meetings, Promises People-Friendly Budget

February 6, 2025 Editor

Omar Abdullah stated, “The primary aim of these consultations is to gather valuable suggestions from prime stakeholders before finalizing the budget. We want to make sure that this budget is not just by the government, but by the people, for the people.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday, reiterated his government’s commitment to presenting a people-friendly budget for Jammu & Kashmir, emphasising that involvement of public representatives in budget formulation ensures people’s aspirations and needs are reflected. Chairing a series of pre-budget consultation meetings at civil secretariat Jammu and joined…

Rashid Engineer’s Bail Plea Denied by NIA Over Lack of Valid Grounds

February 4, 2025 Editor

NIA opposes Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer’s interim bail plea, claiming misuse of provisions and lack of valid grounds for release The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Tuesday opposed the interim bail plea of Baramulla MP Rashid Engineer, arguing that it was not maintainable and should be dismissed on merits. Rashid, who is currently in Tihar Jail in connection with the Jammu and Kashmir terror-funding case, had filed the plea in the Delhi High Court seeking temporary release to attend the Parliament’s Budget session. In its reply, the NIA said, “The…

Ruhullah Pushes for J&K’s Pre-1953 Position and Statehood in Parliament

February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 Editor

In Parliament Ruhullah seeks statehood, restoration of J&K’s pre-1953 position; Hits out at Rahul Gandhi for ignoring Muslims in his speech New Delhi, Feb 03 : Pointing out that the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi didn’t mention plight of Muslims in his speech, National Conference Member Parliament Aga Ruhullah on Monday said that besides restoring Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, New Delhi will have to return pre-1953 position to the region. Speaking in response to the President’s address in the Parliament, Ruhullah, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO)…

Privatization of Power in J&K: Key Meeting Set for February 5th

February 3, 2025 Editor

Is privatization of power distribution on the cards in J&K? Chief Secy to discuss the matter on Feb 5 Srinagar, Feb 02: The Jammu and Kashmir government appears to be moving forward with plans to privatize power distribution in the Union Territory, following the implementation of smart metering. Chief Secretary Atal Duloo has scheduled a meeting on February 5, 2025, which will include the agenda item of “privatization of power distribution” among other power sector reforms. This meeting is set to cover several critical aspects impacting the power sector, including…

Fresh Snowfall and Rainfall End Prolonged Dry Spell in Kashmir Valley

February 2, 2025 Editor

Snow higher up, rain in plains end dry spell in Kashmir; In Srinagar and adjoining areas, intermittent rainfall has been going on since last evening. Srinagar, Feb 1: Fresh snowfall in higher reaches and rain in the plains ended the prolonged dry spell in the Kashmir valley, with the Meteorological Department forecasting a possibility of more precipitation over the next four days. Intermittent snowfall was reported in the higher reaches of Baramulla, Bandipora, Kupwara and Sonmarg districts of the valley, officials said. They said traces of snowfall were seen early morning…

Kashmir Faces Water Shortage as Chillai Kalan Ends with 75% Deficit

February 1, 2025 Editor

Jammu and Kashmir ends Chillai Kalan with just 25% normal rainfall, experiencing erratic weather patterns, with mild rains and snowfall forecasted. Some parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed mild rains in plains and snowfall over mountains on Friday as the Valley’s harshest winter period – Chillai Kalan – ended, recording just 25% of the normal precipitation, the meteorological centre said. The 40-day Chillai Kalan, which started on December 21, has behaved erratically this winter starting with a bone chilling night temperatures of -8° to -12° Celsius but ending with day…

Mehbooba Mufti Appeals to Andhra, Bihar CMs to Halt Waqf Amendment Bill

February 1, 2025 Editor

Former J&K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti caims that the Waqf Amendment Bill is against religious and constitutional rights of Muslims Claiming that the Waqf Amendment Bill is against religious and constitutional rights of Muslims, former J&K chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday wrote to Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, urging them to halt the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC), after clearing the Waqf bill, had recently presented it before Parliament.…

Dark Nights Ahead: Kashmir’s Hydel Power Generation Plummets by 76%

February 1, 2025 Editor

Dark nights ahead, Kashmir’s hydel power generation falls by 76 % Srinagar, Jan 31 : Owing to the low water level, the Power Development Department (PDD) is currently able to produce only 24 Megawatts (MWs) of electricity against the total capacity of around 250 MWs from the power plants in Kashmir region. A top official from Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that “From Kashmir power plants, we have a power generation capacity of around 250 MW out of which currently,…

Tihar Jail: Incarcerated MP Er Rashid to Start Hunger Strike Over Alleged Ill Treatment

January 31, 2025 Editor

MP Er Rashid to Begin Hunger Strike in Tihar Jail Srinagar, January 31, 2025 – In a significant development, Engineer Abdul Rashid Sheikh, the incumbent Parliamentarian and Chief of the Awami Itehaad Party (AIP), has announced his decision to go on a hunger strike starting tomorrow. The MP, who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail, is protesting against what he describes as “ill-treatment” and the denial of his request to attend the upcoming Parliament session. Background Er Rashid, a prominent political figure from North Kashmir, has been incarcerated in Tihar…