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Last-Minute Alliance: Jamaat and Engineer Rashid Shake Up J&K Polls

September 16, 2024 Editor

Political rivals of the Jamaat and the AIP hinted at a “behind the scenes” conspiracy in the alliance. In a significant development, the banned Jamaat-e-Islami and Baramulla MP Engineer Rashid’s Awami Ittehad Party (AIP) have stitched a “strategic” alliance for the upcoming assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The tie-up, which comes just two days ahead of the first phase of polls, materialised during a meeting of Rashid and Ghulam Qadir Wani, chief of the eight-member Jamaat panel that has engaged in talks with the Centre and declared its intention…

Controversy Erupts: Mehbooba, Omar Question Engineer Rashid’s Bail Timing

September 11, 2024 Editor

Sheikh Rashid has decided to field candidates in the strongholds of the Muftis and the Abdullahs in south and north Kashmir respectively The release of jailed Member of Parliament (MP) Sheikh Rashid, widely known as Engineer Rashid, on Tuesday (September 10, 2024) left two main regional parties, the National Conference (NC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), jittery in the wake of Mr. Rashid’s decision to field candidates in strongholds of the Muftis and the Abdullahs in south and north Kashmir respectively. NC vice-president, who is contesting from central Kashmir’s…

Omar Abdullah Claims Delhi’s Agenda is to Erase Kashmir’s Mainstream Political Players

September 10, 2024 Editor

Omar Abdullah is leading the campaign of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)’s oldest party National Conference for the first assembly elections in the region since 2014 National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah, 54, is leading the campaign of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)’s oldest party for the first assembly elections in the region since it was stripped of its semi-autonomous status in 2019 with the nullification of Constitution’s Article 370 and split into two Union Territories. A third-generation politician from the Abdullah family and a former chief minister, Omar Abdullah spoke to…

Rahul Gandhi to Sound Poll Bugle: Rallying Voters in Ramban and Anantnag Against BJP

September 4, 2024 Editor

Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior Congress leader, is set to blow poll bugle in Jammu and Kashmir against the BJP. On Wednesday, he will address two rallies in the constituencies, which will go to the polls in the first phase on September 18. The rallies will be held at Ramban of the Jammu division and Anantnag of the Kashmir region. A large number of party workers and leaders are expected to take part in the rallies, which will be among the first by any…

Smart Meter Surge: J&K Tackles Power Losses, But at What Cost?

August 10, 2024 Editor

J&K’s Smart Meter Gamble: 15% Loss Cut, 10% Tariff Hike Srinagar, Aug 9: In a significant development for Jammu and Kashmir’s power sector, installing smart meters has led to improvements in revenue collection and reduction of power losses. However, high Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and substantial expenditure on power purchases remain areas of concern. According to an official government document, installing 5.74 lakh smart electricity meters has resulted in a 15 percent reduction in power losses and a 10 percent improvement in tariff realisation for the fiscal year…

Jammu & Kashmir Statehood May Be Restored in October, Says MoS Ramdas Athawale

August 9, 2024 Editor

Statehood may be restored in October: MoS Ramdas Athawale In a significant development, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, has hinted at the potential restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood. The region, which lost its special status following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, may see its statehood reinstated before October this year. Athawale emphasized the need for people to actively participate in the democratic process by voting in large numbers during the upcoming assembly elections. He expressed optimism about the progress made in…

Jammu Marks 5 Years Since Article 370 Revocation with ‘Black Day’ Protests by Cong, PDP

August 6, 2024August 6, 2024 Editor

‘Black Day’ Protests in Jammu: Cong, PDP Call for Return of Statehood on Article 370 Anniversary The Congress and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday observed the fifth anniversary of Article 370 abrogation as a ‘black day’ by holding separate protest rallies here to demand the restoration of statehood and special status for Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani criticised the BJP-led Centre for failing to curb the rise in terror attacks in the region following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of…

J&K Debt Soars: Liabilities Triple in 10 Years

August 2, 2024August 2, 2024 Editor

J&K’s Financial Woes Deepen: Debt Balloons Srinagar, Aug 1: Jammu and Kashmir is facing mounting financial pressure as its total liabilities have swelled to a staggering Rs 1,12,797 crore in the fiscal year 2022-23, according to recent budget figures. The public debt, which forms a significant portion of the total liabilities, stands at Rs 69,617 crore. This includes Rs 68,786 crore in internal liabilities and Rs 831 crore in loans and advances from the Central government. The remaining Rs 43,180 crore comprises other liabilities, including insurance and pension funds (Rs 1,331…

Jamaat-e-Islami Eyes Political Comeback: Ready for Electoral Alliance

July 27, 2024 Editor

The enormously influential but banned Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI-JK), a socio-religious political party that has affected the discourse in the Kashmir Valley for the past several decades, has said that it is ready to return to the electoral mainstream in the state if the ban imposed on it is lifted, Ghulam Qadir Lone, a senior member of the party, has told. In an exclusive interview, Lone, who is senior member of the party’s “organisational affairs” panel, said that at a meeting of the panel on June 30, it was decided that the…

Kashmir Faces Acute Water Crisis Amidst Rainfall Failure

July 26, 2024 Editor

Kashmir’s Thirsty Cry: A Looming Water Crisis By: Javid Amin Srinagar, July 25: Kashmir, a region traditionally known for its pristine lakes, gushing rivers, and verdant landscapes, is grappling with an unprecedented water crisis. A scorching heatwave, coupled with a drastic decline in rainfall, has pushed the region to the brink of a humanitarian and ecological disaster. A Parched Paradise Since July 19, the Valley has experienced a staggering 92.96 percent deficit in rainfall, according to data released by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The situation is alarmingly worse when compared…