BUSINESS

The Kashmir apple growers have been expressing deep concern over the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu Highway, warning that the transport disruption has placed JK’s most lucrative industry under severe stress. Recent floods have already damaged orchards, worsening the plight of farmers. With soaring transport costs now eroding profit margins, growers fear that thousands of families who depend on the trade are staring at a bleak season. A delegation of apple growers said that the highway blockades have led to a sharp hike in freight charges, making it difficult for them to ship their produce to markets outside the valley. They stressed that timely transportation is crucial as the bulk of Kashmir’s fruit exports are perishable and delay leads to massive financial losses. Econ...

Once affordable staples have become a luxury for many families in Kashmir, as vegetable prices continue to soar amid supply disruptions and rising transport costs. Locals say the surge has left kitchens under strain, while accusing the Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department of being “lethargic” and unresponsive. Residents said that outrage over skyrocketing costs has now turned into anger, with both vegetables and poultry slipping out of reach. Live chicken, which earlier sold for Rs 120–130 per kilogram, is now priced above Rs 200 per kilogram. “Even chicken, which was once the poor man’s meat, is now beyond reach,” said Shahzada, a Bemina resident. She added that basic vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans are now being sold at double or more their p...

The Union government has introduced the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a sweeping legislation that bans online money games and imposes strict penalties for violations. The law makes it clear that “no person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge in the offering of online money games,” and also prohibits advertising such games, stating that “no person shall make… any advertisement… which directly or indirectly promotes or induces any person to play any online money game.” Banks and other financial institutions are barred from facilitating payments for these games, effectively cutting off the financial channels that support online gambling. The new bill prescribes severe punishments for contraventions. “Any person who offers online money gaming servi...

The Modi government has scrapped the 10% import duty on cotton from August 19 to September 30, 2025. The step comes just days before India’s new cotton harvest, sparking anger among farmers who fear a price crash. In an official notification issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) on August 19, the government announced that all duties on raw cotton — including the 5% Basic Customs Duty (BCD), 5% Agriculture Infrastructure & Development Cess (AIDC), and the 10% Social Welfare Surcharge, would remain exempt until September 30. The CBIC order stated the decision was taken “in public interest.” The announcement comes amid escalating trade tensions, with the United States recently imposing fresh tariffs on Indian goods. While the textile industry has welcom...

The Kashmir Poultry Farmers Association has warned Chief Minister Omar Abdullah that the Union Territory’s poultry industry is “on the brink of collapse,” threatening the livelihoods of over 5.5 lakh people and risking public health. Local farmers say production, which once met 80–85% of J-K’s poultry demand, has fallen to just 15–20% due to policy changes, scrapping of the Rs 9/kg Lakhanpur toll, and an influx of “cheap, unhygienic” chicken from outside. “Delay will not only destroy livelihoods but also compromise the health of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. The time to act is now,” the association said in a memorandum. The group alleges that imported poultry often consists of aged birds, transported without cold chain facilities or proper inspection, posing risks of food poiso...

In a first, 11 metric tonnes of apples and pears from Kashmir have reached Pune’s Gultekdi APMC through the National Agriculture Market (eNAM) platform, marking the first interstate agri-trade between Jammu Kashmir and Maharashtra. The eNAM scheme, launched by the Government of India, links agricultural markets across states, enabling transparent, quality-assured trading and better price discovery. Maharashtra has 133 APMCs connected to the platform. Officials have urged traders to expand digital transactions to benefit both farmers and buyers by bypassing middlemen and reducing inefficiencies. This milestone reflects the growing role of agri-tech in integrating India’s farm produce markets.

At a time when Kashmir is witnessing its annual surge in wedding celebrations, the Valley is facing a major disruption in the supply of mutton, a staple of traditional Kashmiri feasts. The halt in availability has sparked concern across households and catering circles, especially with the ongoing wedding season. Mehraj-u-din Ganie, General Secretary of the Wholesale Mutton Dealers Association Kashmir, confirmed that the supply chain has come to a standstill due to unresolved issues. “We have not received any formal communication or support. The deadlock continues,” he said. Ganie said that though not officially declared as a strike, the halt stems from unresolved concerns over procurement rates, undue taxes, inter-state transportation hurdles, and a lack of regulatory clarity, issues ...

Over 16 tourist destinations across Jammu and Kashmir reopened on Tuesday, nearly two months after they were closed as a precautionary measure following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. The reopened sites include popular spots like Betab Valley and parks in Pahalgam Market, as well as Verinag Garden, Kokernag Garden, and Achabal Garden in south Kashmir. In the Jammu division, Sarthal and Dhaggar (Kathua), Devi Pindi, Siyad Baba, Sula Park (Reasi), Guldanda and Jai Valley (Doda), and Pancheri (Udhampur) have also been made accessible. As per the details obtained by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), in Srinagar, Badamwari Park, Duck Park and Taqdeer Park are among those now open to visitors. Officials said the reopening is being carried out in a phase-wise manner a...

The Indian government will roll out a new FASTag-based annual pass from August 15, 2025, priced at ₹3,000. Announced by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, the pass will be available only for non-commercial private vehicles and will cover 200 trips or one year of travel across national highways—whichever comes first. This new model, which will be activated via the Rajmarg Yatra app and the official websites of NHAI and MoRTH, is designed to reduce wait times, cut congestion, and ease friction at toll plazas. It is being positioned as a "seamless and cost-effective" solution to long-standing public grievances about toll plazas located within short distances. However, the existing pay-per-trip FASTag system will continue to remain in place. The ₹3,000 annual pass is ...

Danishwar Hameed Sluggish animal sales ahead of Eid-ul-Azha have followed an already quiet shopping season across Kashmir’s markets, where shopkeepers in Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla reported unusually low footfall. From garments to sweets, and now sacrificial animals, sellers say the downturn reflects a broader economic fatigue, with buyers holding back due to financial stress and uncertainty. “We used to sell most of our animals by now. This year, we’ve barely sold a third,” said Mohammad Asim, a goat trader from Samba, who has been coming to Srinagar’s Eidgah market for the past 15 years. “People come, ask the price, and walk away. They just don’t have the money.” Another livestock seller, Mohammad Akhtar from Poonch, echoed the same conc...