General News Archives | Page 96 of 362

J&K power crisis worsens, government scrambling for solutions

October 4, 2023 Editor

Worsening Power Crisis in Jammu and Kashmir Sparks Concern Among Consumers Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a deepening power crisis, leaving consumers to endure extended power outages during the day. Authorities have reassured that discussions are underway to address this issue, promising improved conditions in the coming days. However, local consumers have a different story to tell. They claim that the power situation has deteriorated significantly across the valley, with just 4-5 hours of electricity being supplied daily. This situation is occurring even as smart meters have been installed…

Finance Department to Withhold Pension Payments to Six Departments

October 4, 2023 Editor

oncerned about irregularities uncovered in the processing of pension payments for ineligible cases across various treasuries in the Jammu Division, the Office of the Principal Accountant General in Jammu and Kashmir has urgently called upon the Finance Department to suspend pension revision payments associated with six government departments. These departments include Irrigation and Flood Control, Jal Shakti (PHE) Department, Power Development Department (PDD), PDC, R&B, Agriculture, as well as Headmasters and Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) within the Education Department. The Principal Accountant General’s Office has also requested Treasury Officers to…

Harsh Dev Accuses BJP-EC Collusion to Deprive Jammu and Kashmir of Democratic Rights

October 3, 2023 Editor

Harsh Dev said that during the recent hearing on Article 370 and allied matters in the Supreme Court, the constitution bench had questioned the government over the denial of electoral democracy to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Accusing the Election Commission (EC) of scuttling the election process initiated for local bodies polls in J&K at the behest of the BJP, Panthers Party activists led by president and former minister Harsh Dev Singh on Monday staged a protest outside Nirvachan Bhawan here. The protesters raised slogans demanding immediate conduct of…

J&K Faces Looming Power Crisis, Industries in Kashmir Suffer as Prolonged Power Outages Dent Production

October 2, 2023 Editor

Despite the ample hydropower potential in Jammu and Kashmir, power generation has declined to 500 MW, while the government’s reduced procurement of 1400-1500 MW from external power gencos has resulted in a power crisis in the union territory. Kashmir is currently grappling with an unprecedented power crisis, with power cuts ranging from 5 to 9 hours a day, leaving residents and industries in the region reeling. Officials said that the root cause of this crisis lies in the dwindling power generation within J&K, which currently stands at a mere 500 MW,…

Omar accuses government of “Insensitivity” for declaring Eid Holiday a day early

September 30, 2023 Editor

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has criticised the decision of the J&K government to “declare Eid Milad-un-Nabi holiday a day earlier than the actual date”. Speaking after offering Friday congregational prayers at the Hazratbal shrine, which holds the relics of Prophet Muhammad, Omar expressed his disappointment with this decision. Eid Milad-un-Nabi commemorates the birthday of Prophet Muhammad. Omar took the opportunity to extend his greetings to the people on this occasion. However, he questioned the government’s rationale behind declaring a holiday a day in advance when it was widely known…

NHAI Breaks Own Rule, Places Toll Plazas Less Than 60 km Apart on Srinagar NH

September 30, 2023 Editor

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had said last year that toll won’t be collected at collection points located within 60 km of one another. On the Pathankot-Srinagar highway, there are two such plazas within that range where the NHAI has been charging toll. The NHAI claims these are on different sections of the same NH. It also says toll can be imposed within 60 km if needed. Contrary to the statement of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari last year that toll tax would not be levied at…

J&K Students allegedly beaten up at Jhansi School, sent Home

September 30, 2023 Editor

Student exchange programme between J&K, UP cancelled after reports of assault, violence Eighteen male students of Navodaya Vidyalay (NV) from J&K, who were at the school’s branch in UP’s Jhansi under an exchange programme, were sent back to the Valley after they were allegedly assaulted by local students when the latter staged a protest on the campus on Thursday night, alleging their schoolmates sent to Rajouri were beaten up there following a dispute the previous day, said police. The Jhansi students were also on their way back from Rajouri and…

BJP issues show cause notices to eight senior leaders in Kashmir

September 30, 2023 Editor

Bharatiya Janata Party spokesman Altaf Thakur among those served show-cause notice for ‘indiscipline’ The Bharatiya Janata Party in Kashmir has issued show cause notices to eight senior leaders for ‘indiscipline’ within the party. The show cause notices have been issued to Ghulam Mohammad Mir, Dr Ali Mohammad Mir, Altaf Thakur, Asif Masoodi, Arif Raja, Anwar Khan, Manzoor Bhat and Bilal Parray. Earlier this month, BJP had issued similar notice to one of its senior vice presidents and former legislator, Sufi Yusuf. “While holding inquiry of indiscpline against Sofi Yusuf, vice president of…

Omar Abdullah, Mehbuba Mufti accuse BJP of deliberately delaying Local Body Elections in J&K

September 29, 2023 Editor

Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Mehbuba Mufti and Omar Abdullah have accused the central BJP government of “deliberately postponing” urban local body and panchayat elections. The tenure of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is due to end this year. National Conference Vice President and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah sakçhave doubts about BJP’s intentions. I am worried that the BJP will make some mistakes even before the dates are indicated. Knowing that Uddhav Thackeray would win, he said, “Don’t be surprised if the panchayat and urban local…

Jammu and Kashmir seeks fair share of lithium reserves: Mehbooba Mufti

September 27, 2023 Editor

Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti has raised concerns over the recent developments regarding the lithium reserves in the region. Mehbooba claimed that after the takeover of Jammu and Kashmir’s water resources and minerals by the Government of India (GOI), the focus has now shifted towards the vast lithium reserves that lie beneath the region’s surface. Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti has raised concerns over the recent developments regarding the lithium reserves in the region. Mehbooba claimed that after the takeover of Jammu and…