Page 28 - Jammu And Kashmir

Gulmarg fashion show controversy, Lalit Modi, Mark Carney on India, GTA 6 & more

A fashion show at Gulmarg during Ramzan sparked controversy in Jammu and Kashmir, with political leaders calling it “obscene”.

Tourism in border areas revived after ceasefire in J-K: CM Omar Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said tourism activities in the frontier areas of the Union Territory have revived after ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border (IB). Replying to a supplementary question raised by National Conference member Sajad Shafi in the Legislative Assembly here regarding his Uri constituency, Abdullah said as the border areas are slowly opening after the ceasefire, tourism is witnessing a positive trend due to the prevailing peace in the region. Shafi also used the opportunity to inform the House about Abdullah's birthday. Most of the members from the treasury and opposition benches wished the chief minister who acknowledged the greetings and thanked the members. "It is true that Uri has huge border tourism potential. Tourists have started visiting areas like Uri and are eager to explore places such as Aman Setu and other scenic locations. Our priority is to enhance tourism infrastructure in these regions," t

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly erupts over Gulmarg fashion show amid Ramzan

Jammu and Kashmir Assembly erupts over Gulmarg fashion show during Ramzan, with CM Omar Abdullah ordering a probe while BJP calls the outrage unwarranted

Fashion show in Gulmarg sparks row, J&K CM Omar Abdullah orders probe

Amid Ramadan, a fashion show in Gulmarg has triggered backlash, prompting J&K CM Omar Abdullah to order a probe as religious leaders call it 'obscene'

Centre, L-G clueless on Kathua security crisis: Congress J-K chief

The Congress' Jammu and Kashmir chief Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday accused the Centre and the lieutenant governor-led administration of being clueless over the "deteriorating security situation" in Kathua district. Addressing party workers in Samba district as part of the Congress' ongoing campaign for statehood restoration, Karra said the "shocking incidents" in Kathua's Billawar-Bani belt, in the backdrop of terror incidents in the recent past, exposed the false claims of normality. "Such is the state of affairs that the (central) government is clueless about the recent deaths of five persons -- three on Saturday and two on February 16 -- under mysterious circumstances while the administration is behaving in a biased manner instead of seeking cooperation to deal with the situation," he said. Questioning the lieutenant governor-led administration's "inept handling" of the situation, Karra said senior Congress leaders Choudhary Lal Singh and Manohar Lal Sharma, who were heading ...

Decoding row over Sri Lanka's Muralitharan getting 'land for free' in J&K

Jammu and Kashmir faces political turmoil over alleged free land allotment to ex-Sri Lankan cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan for a Rs 1,600 crore beverage plant in Kathua

Private firm fined Rs 80 lakh for illegal mining in Budgam: J-K minister

Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday informed the house that a private company was fined Rs 80 lakh for unauthorised mining in Budgam district. The issue was highlighted in the Legislative Assembly by MLA Khan Sahab, Safiud-Din-Bhat, bringing it to the immediate attention of the House. The deputy chief minister said the Budgam mineral officer had taken strict action against Messrs NKC Projects Private Limited for unauthorised mining at Shaliganaga Nalla in Lanilab Basant Wooder. The action follows the circulation of a video on social media on March 2, exposing the illegal activity. Choudhary said that on receiving the report from the directorate of geology and mining, the DMO Budgam deputed a team to the site to verify the claims. Upon investigation, it was confirmed that the company had engaged men and machinery for the unauthorised extraction of approximately 300 metric tons of Nallah Mukh without obtaining the permits, he said. In response, a

J&K govt reports total debt of Rs 1.25 trillion, including GPF dues

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Saturday said its total debt stands at over Rs 1.25 lakh crore, including Rs 27,900 crore in general provident fund (GPF) for the Union Territory in the last financial year. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the finance minister of the UT, said in a written reply to Assembly member Sajad Gani Lone that as of March 31, 2024, Jammu and Kashmir's total debt is Rs 1,25,205 crore. "This includes Rs 69,894 crore in loans from the Reserve Bank of India and state development, Rs 27,901 crore in GPF, Rs 14,294 crore in reserves, Rs 5,758 crore in outstanding national small savings fund, Rs 4,032 crore in negotiated loans, Rs 2,616 crore in UDAY power loans, and Rs 710 crore in Government of India advances", he said. Abdullah further said the total outstanding liability in treasuries as of February 27, 2025, under various account heads amounts to Rs 5,429.49 crore. According to the Economic Survey Report (ESR) 2024-25 tabled in the House on Thursda

J-K CM presents Rs 1.12 trn budget with focus on inclusive growth

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented a zero-deficit budget in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly, announcing an outlay of Rs 1.12 lakh crore for 2025-2026 and emphasising multi-sector welfare and development of the Union Territory. Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio in the National Conference-led government, presented his maiden budget in the legislative assembly. Jammu and Kashmir, which was accorded the Union Territory status after Ladakh was carved out as a separate UT in 2019 following the abrogation of Article 370, has witnessed its first annual budget since 2018 when the erstwhile PDP-BJP government tabled the then state's document of annual finances. Amid thunderous applause, Abdullah began his speech with a Persian couplet and said, "I stand before you today to present my first budget as Finance Minister, marking the first budget of a collective government in seven years. While it is an honour, I am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that comes

'Also get back part of Kashmir that is with China': Omar Abdullah reacts to Jaishankar's statement

Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah on Thursday said while the government has spoken of getting back PoK from Pakistan, it should also see that part of Kashmir with China is also returned to India. >

Watch: S Jaishankar speaks on Kashmir, Trump and more at Chatham House

Watch: S Jaishankar speaks on Kashmir, Trump and more at Chatham House

IWAI inks pact with J&K government to enhance river cruise tourism

The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) on Thursday signed an agreement with the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) government to boost river cruise tourism on three national waterways in the Union Territory, according to an official statement. The agreement aims to further bolster tourism, generate employment, boost economic growth and provide a new mode of leisure/budget tourism on local rivers. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the sidelines of Chintan Shivir being held in Srinagar in the presence of Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. Of the 111 national waterways in the country, the Union Territory has three declared national waterways, i.e., River Chenab (NW-26), River Jhelum (NW-49) and River Ravi (NW-84). As part of the pact, IWAI, which is under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, will provide waterside infrastructure, i.e., ten floating jetties and landside infrastructure comprising of waiting hall and other .

PDP holds protest march over BJP leader's remarks on 1931 'martyrs'

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday held a protest march here against Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Sunil Sharma over his remarks on the 1931 "martyrs" and sought an apology from the BJP legislator. Led by PDP leader Iltija Mufti, party leaders and activists marched from the party head office here towards the Lal Chowk City centre but were stopped by police near Polo View. The protesters, carrying placards reading "Martyrs of July 13, 1931 are our heroes" and "July 13, 1931 sacrifices will never die", raised slogans against Sharma and the BJP. Those martyrs sacrificed their lives to end the "autocratic" rule in Jammu and Kashmir, Iltija told reporters. "We will not accept the disrespect of the martyrs. Had they not sacrificed their lives, democracy would not have been established here," she said. She said the PDP would not allow the BJP to erase "our collective memory". "We will foil all such plans of the BJP. Those 22 martyrs are our heroes an

Watch: Avalanche strikes J&K's Sonamarg

An avalanche occurred in Jammu and Kashmir's Sonamarg tourist resort on Wednesday, officials said.

BJP walks out of J-K Assembly after Speaker expunges oppn leader's remarks

All 28 BJP members on Wednesday walked out from the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather announced expunging of "derogatory remarks" of the Leader of Opposition on the July 13, 1931 "martyrs". Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma made the remarks against the "martyrs" in response to the speech of PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, who demanded restoration of the public holidays on July 13 and the December 5 in honour of National Conference founder Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. CPI(M) member M Y Tarigami and Congress leader Nizamuddin Bhat also joined the chorus and demanded expunging of the remarks against the 1931 "martyrs" and an apology from the Leader of the Opposition. Later, the Speaker announced expunging of the "derogatory remarks" following which the entire 28 members of the BJP staged a walkout. July 13 was observed as a public holiday in Jammu and Kashmir to commemorate the 22 men who fell to the bullets of Dogra Maharaja's soldiers outside Srinaga

Situation across border very bad despite Chinese help: J-K CM Omar Abdullah

Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather, even though he ensured a smooth house proceeding, later decried Mir's remarks and sought a clarification from party leader Abdullah

44 mn tourists visited J-K in past 2 years: Omar Abdullah to J-K Assembly

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the government will develop pilgrim tourism circuits in Jammu to encourage pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishnodevi shrine to tour various other tourist destinations in the region. Noting that one crore pilgrims visit the Vaishnodevi shrine annually, Abdullah said if the government could divert 10 to 15 percent of these pilgrims to various destinations in the region, it would benefit the people. "As for the pilgrim tourism circuit in Jammu, we will create three, four and seven day packages. We will promote these destinations to ensure pilgrims visit all such places," Abdullah said in the assembly. Responding to a query from BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi during the Question Hour, he said many pilgrims are unaware of the pilgrimage tourism destinations in the region. The chief minister emphasised the need to encourage pilgrims visiting Mata Vaishnodevi temple to also tour other places in the region. "It is our challenge to di

'Baseless': India slams UN human rights chief's remarks on J&K, Manipur

India slammed the unfounded and baseless comments made by the UN's human rights chief, who mentioned Kashmir and Manipur in his global update, with Delhi voicing concern over the update's generalised remarks and cherry picking of situations. As India was mentioned by name, let me begin by emphasising that the world's largest democracy continues to be a healthy, vibrant and pluralistic society. Unfounded and baseless comments in the update contrast jarringly with ground realities, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva Ambassador Arindam Bagchi said Monday. India's strong retort came after UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, in his global update to the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, mentioned India and referred to the situation in Manipur and Kashmir. Bagchi said the people of India have "repeatedly proven wrong such misplaced concerns about us and we would urge a better understanding

Khelo India Winter Games 2025 to commence from March 9 in Gulmarg

The Khelo India Winter Games 2025 will begin on March 9 in the world-renowned health resort of Gulmarg, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launching its official website here on Monday. With fresh snowfall, Jammu and Kashmir is set to host the second leg of Khelo India Winter Games 2025 in Gulmarg from March 9 to 12, ensuring a world-class winter sports experience in one of India's premier snow destinations. "The event, initially scheduled for February 22-25, was postponed due to insufficient snowfall," an official said. The chief minister launched the official website for Khelo India Winter Games 2025 (kwig2025.com) at the Civil Secretariat here. Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah extended his best wishes to the organizers and inquired about the arrangements and the finalization of dates for the event. Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Secretary Nuzhat Gul in her presentation said that event will now take place from March 9-12 in Gulmarg. She provided details of the schedule, incl

Omar rules out alliance with BJP, citing 'different vision' for J-K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that there are currently no plans for an alliance with the BJP, emphasizing the party's commitment to its own political vision."We are not talking about any alliance (with the BJP); neither is there any scope nor the need. Our thoughts also do not align. If we talk about J & K, our thoughts are vastly different... We will hold discussions on everything (during the session)," he said.Meanwhile, today, the Chief Minister addressed the first Budget session in the Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly.While addressing the assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, highlighting his contributions to India's economic growth and key welfare initiatives."Manmohan Singh ji was born in undivided India. He went to Oxford and Cambridge and started as an officer and finance minister and then PM. When he became finance minister, our country was going through an economic crisis. Today we are the ...