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Winter’s Wrath: Srinagar Experiences Season’s Coldest Night with -5.3°C, Weekend Rain in Forecast

December 14, 2023 Editor

In the grip of an intense cold wave, Srinagar experienced its coldest night of the season on Wednesday, with the minimum temperature plummeting to minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological (MeT) Department confirmed that this chilling record marked the lowest temperature recorded so far this winter. Other parts of the Valley also endured freezing conditions, with Gulmarg registering a minimum of minus 5.5 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam at minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. Leh in the Ladakh region faced even harsher temperatures, with a bone-chilling minus 12.2 degrees Celsius, while Kargil recorded…

Beyond the Silence: A Deep Disappointment Grips Kashmir After SC Upholds Article 370 Abrogation

December 12, 2023 Editor

After the Supreme Court judgement upholding the abrogation of Article 370 as “valid”, a sense of “hushed disappointment” swept through the streets of Kashmir. Be it shop fronts, taxis or auto stands, the people discussed their hurt and sadness, albeit in muted voices. The people say that it was because of the “aggressive posture of the authorities to any form of protests or dissent since the abrogation of Article in August 2019.” “The Supreme Court has put the final nail in the coffin of J&K’s special status. It was what…

Supreme Court Delivers Landmark Verdict on Article 370: Abrogation Deemed Constitutionally Valid

December 11, 2023 Editor

The Supreme Court upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the Centre’s decision to abrogate Article 370, which granted special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Supreme Court also directed the Election Commission to hold Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections by September 30, 2024. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, writing the judgment for himself and Justices Gavai and Surya Kant, said Article 370 of the Constitution was a temporary provision…

Kashmir Awaits Supreme Court Verdict: Despair and Uncertainty Prevail

December 10, 2023December 10, 2023 Editor

On Monday, the Supreme Court will deliver its judgement on petitions challenging the Article 370’s August 2019 abrogation. As the Supreme Court (SC) is going to announce its judgement on Article 370 case on Monday, there is both hope and dejection among the politicians and common people ahead of this verdict. A constitutional bench of the SC will deliver its judgement on a number of petitions that have challenged the August 2019 abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of J&K state into two Union Territories. The Article 370 had given…

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…