Today Archives | Page 20 of 70

India’s Highest Court to Rule on Controversial Abrogation of Article 370 on 11 Nov

December 8, 2023 Editor

The Supreme Court will deliver on Monday its verdict on petitions challenging the nullification of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories — J&K and Ladakh. A five-judge Constitution Bench of CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice SK Kaul, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant had reserved the verdict on September 5 after hearing marathon arguments from the petitioners and the Centre for 16 days. The top court would decide if the changes made on August 5 and August 6, 2019, which ended…

One Flag, One PM, One Constitution: Amit Shah Hails BJP’s Kashmir Achievements

December 6, 2023 Editor

There should only be one flag, one prime minister and one Constitution in India and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had made this possible, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday, hailing the Centre’s decision to scrap Jammu & Kashmir’s special status four years ago There should only be one flag, one prime minister and one Constitution in India and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had made this possible, Union home minister Amit Shah said on Tuesday, hailing the Centre’s decision to scrap Jammu & Kashmir’s special status four…

Power Bill Shock for Kashmir Residents: Non-Metered Consumers to Face 15% Tariff Hike

December 5, 2023 Editor

In a move that is expected to impact around 7 lakh non-metered power consumers in Kashmir, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has given the green light for a 15 percent hike in power tariffs. The decision comes as a result of the JERC approving a 30 percent increase in power tariffs for non-metered consumers, with a subsequent withdrawal of 15 percent electricity duty, effectively resulting in a 15 percent tariff hike. In Kashmir, power consumers are classified into two categories: metered and non-metered consumers. For metered areas, the JERC…

Supreme Court to Deliver Judgment on Jammu & Kashmir Special Status in Article 370 Case This Month

December 4, 2023 Editor

India Holds Its Breath: Supreme Court Poised to Deliver Article 370 Verdict on Jammu & Kashmir For months, anticipation has crackled in the air, thick as the Himalayan fog that cloaks the contested valleys of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K). The Supreme Court of India, the highest arbiter of the land, stands poised to deliver its judgment on Article 370, a provision that granted the region a unique and controversial special status within the Indian union. The Stakes: A Region’s Identity on Trial Article 370, a temporary clause enshrined in the…

Kashmir’s Power Woes Worsen, Plunging Residents into Darkness and Frustration

November 28, 2023 Editor

The crisis has forced leaders of mainstream political parties to question the intentions of the administration Kashmir is reeling under an unprecedented power crisis amid the early winter in the Valley. As against the demand of 2,500MW, the supply is limited to a mere 1,200 to 1,500MW. Though the administration had promised to procure additional 500 MW power, the procurement process is not being fast tracked. The crisis has forced leaders of mainstream political parties to question the intentions of the administration. They have even organised protests over the demand.…

Failure to Provide Reliable Power: Power Corporations to Reimburse Consumers for Poor Supply

November 25, 2023 Editor

In a significant development, electricity consumers are now empowered to seek compensation from power distribution companies (discoms) for their failure to ensure a steady power supply, thanks to the Rights of Consumers Rules 2020. As frustrations mount in Kashmir over inconsistent power supply, consumers are leveraging these rules to hold discom accountable for their lapses in providing a reliable power supply. Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) is the sole electricity distribution agency in Kashmir. It has come under severe criticism for failing to provide a quality power supply in…

Amidst 18-Hour Power Cuts, Kashmir Opposition Denounces ‘Collective Punishment’ Strategy

November 25, 2023 Editor

The Valley is in the middle of the longest power cuts in two decades, with 12 to 16 hours of cuts per day, according to locals. Kashmir is dealing with its worst electricity crisis with power generation hitting a record low of 50-100 MegaWatts (MWs) against the demand of 1800 MWs, badly impacting the life of over 70 lakh people. The Valley is in the middle of the longest power cuts in two decades, with 12 to 16 hours of cuts per day, according to locals. The prolonged cuts come…

Kashmir’s Power Crisis Takes Center Stage: PDP and Congress Lead Protests in Srinagar

November 24, 2023 Editor

The Kashmir Valley is facing its worst power crisis with long unscheduled power cuts, especially in the evening hours As power crisis in Kashmir is increasing with every passing day, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Congress workers held a protest demonstration in Srinagar against the Jammu and Kashmir administration. The Kashmir Valley is facing its worst power crisis with long unscheduled power cuts, especially in the evening hours. This has affected the normal lives of the people adversely. Dozens of PDP workers tried to take out protest demonstration from…

Srinagar Shivers Under Bone-Chilling Cold as Thick Fog Blankets City, Records Coldest Night

November 21, 2023 Editor

People in the Valley’s summer capital Srinagar woke up to a thick layer of fog on Monday as the minimum temperature during the night had plummeted to -0.8°C in the city Kashmir witnessed sub-zero temperatures and foggy weather on Monday, affecting life in the Valley, with Private Schools Association of Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK) urging the administration for early winter vacations. People in the Valley’s summer capital Srinagar woke up to a thick layer of fog on Monday as the minimum temperature during the night had plummeted to -0.8°C in…

Energy Crisis Grips Kashmir, Threatening Dark Winters for Residents

November 19, 2023 Editor

Kashmir’s Looming Power Crisis: A Winter of Darkness Awaits By: Javid Amin As the chill of winter descends upon Kashmir, the region faces a looming power crisis that threatens to plunge its inhabitants into darkness. The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), the state-owned electricity utility, is contemplating further extending power cuts due to a persistently inadequate allocation of power from the central grid. The current power allocation of 1300 MW falls significantly short of the 1700 MW received during the same period last year, indicating a severe shortage that…