Page 73 - Jammu And Kashmir

Army cancels seminar on UCC after backlash from political parties in J&K

The Army in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday cancelled a seminar, which was aimed to raise awareness about the Uniform Civil Code and other topics after a backlash from the political parties here. The Army late Friday sent invitations to the media houses for a seminar on the subject "Navigating legal frontiers: Understanding Indian Penal Code 2023 and the quest for Uniform Civil Code". The seminar was scheduled for March 26 at the Kashmir University Auditorium. However, there was a backlash from the regional political parties with former chief minister and National Conference (NC) vice president Omar Abdullah questioning the Army's involvement in a "divisive" issue like the Uniform Civil Code in a "sensitive" place like Kashmir. "Is it appropriate for the Indian Army to get involved in the divisive issue of the uniform civil code & that too in a sensitive area like Kashmir? There is a reason the Indian Army has remained apolitical & areligious. This ill-advised UCC seminar is a ..

Jammu and Kashmir to auction third-tranche of lithium blocks again

The auction will take place again as the government received only two bids in the first round

As tulips bloom, Jammu & Kashmir hopes to harvest a bounty of tourists

Industry, government officials believe region will improve its tourist footfall this year

NexGen Energia to invest Rs 1,000 cr for setting up EV unit in J&K

Sustainable energy solutions firm NexGen Energia on Monday said it will invest Rs 1,000 crore in setting up a manufacturing unit for electric vehicles (EVs) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Noida-based company said it is currently in talks with the authorities in the Union Territory and scouting for 100-acre land either in the Kathua industrial area or in the Kashmir Valley. The move comes soon after the company announced Rs 3,000 crore investment for setting up a Compress Bio Gas (CBG) plant in Gujarat. "Along with 'Make in India', we are on the way to fulfil the dream of self-reliant India. We will establish an EV plant in Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with the government in which we will invest Rs 1,000 crore," NexGen Energia chairman Piyush Dwivedi told PTI. "The manufacturing unit will provide direct and indirect employment to about 1 lakh people and we aim to launch NGE's most affordable electric two-wheeler on April 15 next month for just Rs 36,900 from our Noida unit," Dwived

Assembly polls in J&K to be held after Lok Sabha election: CEC Rajiv Kumar

The Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir will be held after the Lok Sabha polls as organising both simultaneously is not viable from the security point of view, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Rajiv Kumar said on Saturday as he announced the schedule of the general election and some Assembly and bypolls. The Lok Sabha polls will be held in seven phases beginning from April 19 and the results will be announced on June 4. Asked why Assembly polls are not being held in Jammu and Kashmir along with the Lok Sabha election, the CEC said forces have to be provided to every candidate in the Union Territory, which is not possible at a time when elections are being held across the country. He also said the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was amended in December 2023 after a delimitation exercise and the clock had started ticking for the Election Commission (EC) since then. "The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act was passed in 2019. There was a provision for 107 seats, 24 of which

Govt bans Nayeem Ahmad led Jammu Kashmir National Front under UAPA

The government on Tuesday banned the Jammu Kashmir National Front led by Nayeem Ahmad Khan under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. In an order, the Ministry of Home Affairs declared the JKNF, a constituent of the hardline Hurriyat Conference, an "unlawful association" with immediate effect. The government said the JKNF has been "indulging in unlawful activities, which are prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of the country." It said members of the JKNF have remained involved in supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism in Jammu and Kashmir and providing logistic support to terrorists in the Union territory. It also said JKNF members "have been involved in mobilising violent protesters in various parts of Kashmir for perpetrating unlawful activities, including supporting terrorist activities, sustained stone pelting on security forces." The order will have effect for a period of five years.

EC begins consultation with parties in J-K to review LS poll preparedness

The Election Commission on Tuesday began consultations with political parties in Jammu and Kashmir to review preparedness for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in the Union territory. Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and other officials of the poll panel, who arrived here on Monday for a three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, held interactions with delegations from the National Conference, PDP, BJP, CPI(M), Congress, and the Aam Admi Party, officials said here. National Conference leader Nasir Aslam Wani, who led his party's delegation, said they impressed upon the Election Commission the need for holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir together with the Lok Sabha polls. "We told the commission that it has been 10 years that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been deprived of their democratic rights. The commission gave us a patient hearing," Wani said. PDP leader Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura said his party also batted for holding assembly and Lok Sabha elections ...

IAF airlifts over 700 stranded passengers between Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh

The Indian Air Force (IAF) airlifted over 700 stranded passengers between the twin union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh on Saturday, an official said. While 514 passengers were airlifted from Jammu to Leh in two sorties of IL-76, 223 persons were flown from Srinagar to Leh in another sortie, the official said. With this, a total of 1,251 persons were airlifted between Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh this week. Earlier on Monday, 331 passengers were airlifted in separate sorties of AN-32, also known as Kargil courier, by the IAF between Jammu and Kashmir to Kargil. The Kargil courier was launched by the IAF on January 22 following closure of 434-km Srinagar-Leh national highway owing to heavy snowfall. The Kargil courier service operates three days a week between Jammu and Srinagar, and twice a week between Srinagar and Kargil to facilitate the stranded passengers. The passengers have expressed their gratitude to all authorities, particularly the IAF, for facilitating

Govt empowers states, UTs to act against 3 banned J-K-based groups

The Centre on Friday authorised all states and Union Territories to take action against three banned Jammu and Kashmir-based groups under the UAPA. The three groups are the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction), Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bhat faction) and Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir. In three identical notifications, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said the Centre directs that all powers exercisable by it under Section 7 and Section 8 of the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, shall be exercised by state governments and Union Territory administrations in relation to the three unlawful associations. On February 27, the home ministry extended the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, Jammu and Kashmir, for five years for continuing activities against the security, integrity and sovereignty of the nation. A day later, it announced that the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Sumji faction) and the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir (Bh

Watched 'Article 370', film shows complexity of problem: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said he has watched the film 'Article 370' with his family at a theatre here, and said the movie shows the "complexity" of the "problem" as well as the "challenging solution". "Today I went to a cinema hall in Delhi with my family and watched the movie 'Article 370'. I heard praise for this film from many people. The film is inspired by true events and presents the events of the removal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir in a very effective manner," Singh said in a post on X in Hindi. "This film shows how complex this problem was and how challenging the solution was and it also presents a good example of women empowerment. I congratulate the producer-director and all the actors of this film for their effective presentation," he wrote. The central government on August 5, 2019, had revoked Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, and bifurcated it into Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and ...

Every citizen has right to criticise decision of state, says Supreme Court

The Supreme Court said that simply because some people develop hatred or ill will against others, it is insufficient to justify a penalty for encouraging enmity among groups

PM Modi reaches Srinagar, scheduled to unveil projects worth Rs 6,400 cr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday arrived in Srinagar to unveil a slew of development projects worth more than Rs 6,400 crore and address a public meeting, officials said. This is Modi's first visit to the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. The prime minister landed at the Srinagar airport and then flew to Badamibagh Cantonment, the headquarters of the Army's 15 or Chinar Corps, they said. At the Badamibagh Cantonment, Modi would lay a wreath at the War Memorial and pay tributes to the fallen soldiers. He would then drive to Bakshi Stadium via Gupkar and Zero Bridge in a cavalcade to participate in the 'Viksit Bharat, Viksit Jammu Kashmir' programme, officials said. The security apparatus has secured the road from Badamibagh Cantonment to Bakshi Stadium. Tricolours, BJP flags and hoardings welcoming Modi have been put up along the route that will be taken by Modi. Stringent security arrangements have been put in place to ensure an incident-fr

PM Modi to attend 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' in Srinagar today

At the 'Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir' program at Bakshi Stadium PM will dedicate the 'Holistic Agriculture Development Programme' worth Rs 5,000 crore to boost the agri-economy

PM Modi to address his first rally in Kashmir since abrogation of Art 370

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil multiple development projects and address a public meeting in Srinagar on Thursday during his first visit to Kashmir after his government abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution, which gave special rights to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. According to an official statement, Modi will attend the "Viksit Bharat Viksit Jammu Kashmir" programme at Srinagar's Bakshi Stadium and inaugurate initiatives worth nearly Rs 5,000 crore for boosting the agri-economy in the Union Territory. With the Lok Sabha election around the corner and opposition parties seeking an announcement on Assembly polls in Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister's scheduled visit has acquired a keen political dimension in terms of what he might have to say on the issue. The BJP-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated the erstwhile state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The ...

Union minister assures more opportunities for farmers, pastoralists in J-K

Union Minister Parshottam Rupala has assured all possible support to upscale livestock production, establish a modern fish market and create more livelihood avenues for farmers and pastoralists in Jammu and Kashmir. The minister for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying along with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had on Monday inaugurated a two-day technology exhibition-cum-seed mela at the SKUAST-Kashmir. During the event, various works and programmes, including SKUAST-Kashmir's commercial silage unit, the Krishi Radio and rural internship "Student rural exploration programme of J-K government", were inaugurated, an official spokesman said. Rupala commended the Union Territory's administration for transforming the agriculture and allied sector of Jammu and Kashmir and promoting innovation-based agri startups, he said. The Union minister also announced an aqua park for Jammu and Kashmir. He assured all possible support in upscaling livestock production, ...

New startup policy with focus to set up 2K startups by 2027 launched in J-K

Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha on Sunday launched a new start-up policy with a focus to establish 2,000 start-ups in the Union Territory by 2027. The 'New Jammu & Kashmir Start-up Policy- 2024-27' will also provide patent-related assistance, financial assistance for mentorship to recognised start-ups, facilitation for department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT) registration and additional need-based support to start-ups working in diverse fields, Sinha said in Jammu. On February 22, Jammu and Kashmir administrative council headed by the lieutenant governor approved the new start-up policy in supersession to the start-up policy notified in 2018. The new policy provides for providing entrepreneurship facilities to students, women and support to the entrepreneurs through government, private and high net worth individuals (HNIs) for setting up start-ups. Terming the launch of the new policy as a giant leap for start-ups and innovators, the lieutenant governor ...

Ahead of PM Modi's Srinagar visit, security forces put on alert: Officials

Security forces have been put on alert ahead of the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to address a public rally at the Bakshi Stadium here on Thursday, officials said on Sunday. The deployment of security personnel has been increased around the renovated Bakshi Stadium with barricades set up for checking the vehicles passing through the venue of PM Modi's rally, the officials said. Police and paramilitary forces are conducting random checking of vehicles at dozens of places in the city and elsewhere, the officials said. Special check points have been set up at various places in the city, including the entry and exit points as a precautionary measure, they said. The security forces have increased patrolling around the venue of the rally as part of area domination exercise to ensure a smooth and incident-free visit of the prime minister. This will be the prime minister's first visit to the Kashmir valley after the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019. This

Free and fair Lok Sabha polls would be ensured in J&K, says CEO Pole

Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer P K Pole on Saturday said free and fair Lok Sabha polls would be ensured in the Union Territory. Pole reviewed the preparations for the polls in the Anantnag Parliamentary constituency in south Kashmir. "The notification for Lok Sabha polls would be issued in 10-12 days. Election is definitely a challenging task, but our officers are experienced. Our endeavour is to have a peaceful, transparent, free and fair election and improve the voter turnout compared to the last elections," Pole told reporters. Asked about the security arrangements, the CEO said the security environment has become better over the last few years but there were some challenges. "The challenges are still the same and so we have flagged the requirement for forces. The locally available forces and those who come from outside will be deployed according to the norms of the election commission whether it is on polling station duty or area domination or other duties. We will

BJP prepares for PM's first Srinagar visit since repeal of Article 370

The BJP is finalising preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kashmir on March 7, with party leaders saying they expect around one lakh people at his first rally in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Modi would address the rally at Bakshi Stadium here. A meeting of the BJP was held here on Saturday to discuss the preparations and arrangements for the rally. "Discussions took place over the preparations for Modi's rally. Different departments of the party were given different tasks and party leaders were asked to mobilise people," BJP's Jammu and Kashmir spokesman Altaf Thakur told PTI. He said over one lakh people are expected to attend the rally. "It will be a mega rally and people from various parts of Jammu and Kashmir will attend. People will come in droves and flood the venue to listen to the PM," he said. Thakur said that at a meeting here on March 4 BJP general secretary and J-K incharge Tarun Chugh would review the party's preparation

Textile unit invests Rs 120 crore in Kathua, to employ 650 youths

Bloomtex Industries is one of the industrial units that has set up their unit in SIDCO, the new industrial estate at Kathua's Bhagthali