Omar Abdullah Presents J&K Budget 2025-26: Free Rides for Women and Free Electricity for AAY Families

Omar Abdullah Presents J&K Budget 2025-26: Free Rides for Women and Free Electricity for AAY Families

Omar Abdullah Presents J&K Budget 2025-26: Full Speech Here Srinagar 07 March 2025: On March 7, 2025, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the J&K Budget 2025-26 in the Legislative Assembly. This budget marks a significant milestone as it is the first budget of J&K after a gap of seven years. The budget includes a range of welfare measures aimed at improving the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, with a particular focus on women and economically vulnerable families. Key Announcements 1. Free Rides for Women…

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Veeri Calls for High-Level Inquiry into Chinar Tree Felling in Anantnag

Veeri Calls for High-Level Inquiry into Chinar Tree Felling in Anantnag

MLA Bijbehara Seeks Inquiry into Felling of Chinar Trees in South Kashmir’s Anantnag Srinagar, February 26, 2025 – The felling of 500-year-old Chinar trees in Anantnag’s Rani Bagh has evoked sharp criticism from environmentalists and activists. National Conference MLA from Bijbehara, Dr. Bashir Ahmad Veeri, has called for an inquiry into the incident. Veeri’s Call for Accountability In a post on X, Veeri stated, “These pictures must be reported to the National Green Tribunal for cognizance & accountability. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Anantnag should initiate a high-level inquiry, book…

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Violation of Conservation Laws: EPG Demands Accountability for Felling of Chinar Trees

Violation of Conservation Laws: EPG Demands Accountability for Felling of Chinar Trees

EPG Strongly Denounces Felling of Centuries-Old Chinar Trees in Rani Bagh, Anantnag Srinagar, February 26, 2025 – The Environmental Policy Group (EPG) has strongly condemned the deeply distressing felling of centuries-old Chinar trees in Rani Bagh, Anantnag. These trees, believed to be over 500 years old, hold immense historical, cultural, and ecological value. Their destruction represents a blatant violation of the laws established to protect such heritage and a grave injustice to the legacy of Kashmir. Historical and Cultural Significance The Chinar trees in Rani Bagh are not just symbols…

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Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Feels Climate Change Heat: Power Generation Down 83%

Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Feels Climate Change Heat: Power Generation Down 83%

Baglihar Hydroelectric Project Feels Climate Change Heat Srinagar, February 22, 2025 – The stark reality of climate change has become increasingly evident at the Baglihar Dam along the Chenab River in the Ramban district of Chenab Valley. The prestigious Baglihar hydroelectric project, with an installed capacity of 900 MW, is currently generating a mere 150 MW of power, signifying a decline of 83 percent. “Climate change and less precipitation are having a direct impact on the power generation from Baglihar,” said a senior Power Development Department (PDD) official, noting that both stages…

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Omar Abdullah Advocates for Regulated Investments to Safeguard Land and Create Jobs

Omar Abdullah Advocates for Regulated Investments to Safeguard Land and Create Jobs

Investments Must Be Regulated to Protect Land and Jobs: Omar Abdullah Srinagar, February 21, 2025 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday attended the Confederation of Indian Industry’s J&K Annual Session-2025 titled “Amazing J&K: Aspiring for new growth goals”. According to a spokesperson, the event, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (J&K Council), brought together business leaders, industrialists, entrepreneurs, and other stakeholders to discuss strategic actions to boost J&K’s economic growth and development, driving the region’s competitiveness and business potential through a robust and resilient industrial and sustainable entrepreneurship ecosystem.…

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Climate Change Threatens Kashmir’s Identity: Naeem Akhtar Calls for Rapid Response

Climate Change Threatens Kashmir's Identity: Naeem Akhtar Calls for Rapid Response

Kashmir’s basic character under threat due to climate change, No Quick-Fix Solutions; Akhtar Urges Govt to Balance Ecology and Development, Form Rapid Response Force Srinagar, Feb 17: Peoples Democratic Party leader and former Minister Naeem Akhtar on Monday urged the government to constitute a rapid response force and make it a top priority to address the pervasive climate impacts in Jammu and Kashmir. According to the PDP leader, the situation has the potential to alter the character of this Himalayan region, which otherwise serves as a source of ecological stability…

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Western Disturbance to Bring Rain, Snow to Jammu and Kashmir Amid Water Crisis

Western Disturbance to Bring Rain, Snow to Jammu and Kashmir Amid Water Crisis

Western Disturbance to Bring Rain, Snow to Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar, February 17, 2025 – A fresh Western Disturbance is set to bring much-needed rain and snow to Jammu and Kashmir, offering a potential respite from the ongoing dry spell that has raised concerns about a looming drought in the region. According to the Meteorological Department, the disturbance is expected to affect the region from February 19 to 20, bringing light to moderate rain and snow across the Union Territory, with heavy precipitation likely in higher elevations. Current Weather and…

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Khelo India Winter Games Postponed in Kashmir Due to Insufficient Snowfall

Khelo India Winter Games Postponed in Kashmir Due to Insufficient Snowfall

Khelo India Winter Games Postponed in Kashmir Due to Insufficient Snowfall Srinagar, February 17, 2025 – The second leg of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games, scheduled to be held in Gulmarg from February 22 to 25, has been postponed due to insufficient snowfall in the region. The event, which was set to feature snow sports such as alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering, and snowboarding, will be rescheduled once the snow conditions improve and a fresh assessment is completed. Rauf Tramboo, president of the Winter Games Association of Jammu…

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Illegal Riverbed Mining in Kashmir Leads to Drying Up of Springs in Pulwama and Beyond

Illegal Riverbed Mining in Kashmir Leads to Drying Up of Springs in Pulwama and Beyond

Illegal Riverbed Mining in Kashmir Leading to Drying Up of Springs By: Javid Amin Srinagar, February 8, 2025 – The natural springs of Kashmir, which have been crucial sources of drinking water for centuries, are under threat due to illegal riverbed mining. One such example is Bulbul Nag, located in Newa village of Pulwama district, which has historically provided water to the entire area. This spring, among many others, has been chosen by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department, also known as the Jal Shakti Department, as a key water…

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Experts Sound Alarm Over Proposed Amendments to J&K Building Bylaws

Experts Sound Alarm Over Proposed Amendments to J&K Building Bylaws

Architects, environmental experts raise concerns over changes in building bylaws Architects and environmental experts have voiced concerns over proposed amendments to the J&K Unified Building Byelaws (UBBL) 2021, calling for more comprehensive public consultations before implementation. The J&K Housing and Urban Development Department recently invited public suggestions on the proposed amendments to UBBL-2021. However, experts argue that the proposed changes are unsuitable for ecologically sensitive regions like Jammu and Kashmir and could increase the risk of disasters and urban congestion. The deadline for submitting suggestions was January 18. A Kashmir-based…

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