BUSINESS

Heavy exports of walnuts from Californian, Chinese and Chile continue to affect the walnut industry of the valley, which is currently witnessing a low demand for this dry fruit nationwide. It is the peak time for harvesting of walnuts across the valley. The growers, however, claimed that there is a low demand for the walnuts for the six straight years due to the heavy exports of walnuts from these foreign countries. President Kashmir Walnut Growers Association Haji Bahadur Khan told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that walnuts have a reduced demand in the markets of India. He said the rates of walnut kernels have gone down by almost 50 percent this season. “A high quality walnut kernel, which we would sell at Rs 1200 per kilogram, sells at Rs 700per kilogram. Similarly,...

Illegal fishing continues unchecked in Nallah Madumati and Arin within the Bandipora region of north Kashmir's district, despite the Fisheries department's lofty assurances. Miscreants employ various methods to capture fish in different sections of Nallah Arin. According to locals who spoke to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), they utilize fishing nets, bleaching powder, and various types of hooks for this purpose. Local residents have raised serious concerns, accusing the Fisheries department of negligence and indifference to the ongoing issues in the nallah. According to them, the Fisheries department guards assigned to the area are conspicuously absent. Furthermore, the use of bleaching powder is deemed inhumane, subjecting the fish to a protracted and agonizing demise ...

Admin has opened its doors to ride-hailing services like Ola and Uber, following the official enactment of the Jammu Kashmir Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2023. In a press release, admin said that the Jammu Kashmir Motor Vehicle Aggregator Rules, 2023, have been crafted after a period of soliciting public input, addressing objections, and considering suggestions from various stakeholders. These rules extend their jurisdiction to aggregators that engage vehicles within the Union territory as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, encompassing all categories of motor vehicles, including e-rickshaws. To operate as an aggregator, people are required to obtain a valid license issued in accordance with these newly established regulations. This regulatory framework aims...

In a ground-breaking development at the Agriculture Extension Office in Kishtwar, Deputy Commissioner Dr Devansh Yadav unveiled the state-of-the-art Indoor Saffron Cultivation Technology. This significant leap forward holds promise for transforming saffron cultivation practices in the region, presenting a noteworthy milestone in the agricultural sector. The event also witnessed the presence of Chief Agriculture Officer, Amjad Hussain Malik, and DAO, Sanjay Sharma, along with beneficiary farmers who stand to benefit immensely from this technological advancement. Under the Skill Development program , the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, District Kishtwar has realised the project with an estimated cost of Rs 1.35 lakh, under the SANKALP Scheme. Each of the 9 benefici...

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday decided to cut LPG domestic gas cylinder prices by Rs 200 for all users. Briefing reporters on the decision of the union cabinet, Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur said the decision is a gift from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to the women of the country on Onam and Raksha Bandhan. “PM Modi has decided Rs 200 reduction in the price of domestic LPG cylinders, for all users…this is a gift from PM Narendra Modi, to the women of the country, during the occasion of Raksha Bandhan,” he said. The meeting of the Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Thakur also said that the central government has decided to add another 75 lakh Ujjwala gas beneficiaries. At present, there are 9.6 crore beneficiaries of the scheme. Indi...

With brick prices soaring in the valley, many people in central Kashmir’s Budgam district have started building houses using traditional bricks known as Koand Seer. Some of them even want to start making these bricks to earn livelihood and ease other people’s “burdens”. Many people in Budgam who made houses using Koan Seer told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the centuries-old brick-making process is a promising solution in the wake of “exorbitant” brick rates. These people living in the upper villages of the Budgam said they have taken it upon themselves to maintain the traditional practice of brick-making. But for that to happen, the government needs to provide the necessary firewood resources, which are necessary for the revival of these kilns on a larger scale, t...

In a significant development, Rajouri Chikri Wood Craft from Rajouri district and Mushqbudji Rice of Anantnag district of have received the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. The process for GI Tagging of nine products was started by NABARD in consultation with Department of Handicrafts & Handloom and Department of Agriculture in December 2020, during the difficult times of COVID. The GI tags have now finally been granted to these two products after a long legal process. In total, four products have been granted GI tag with NABARD support. Chikri is a pale, honey colored, fine grained soft wood found in hill ranges of Rajouri district of Jammu province. The Chikri woodcraft of Rajouri is characterized by intricate carving and detailing. Similarly, Mushqbudji Rice is a premium v...

Jammu Kashmir administration has issued an invitation for online tenders, calling on qualified bidders to participate in the oversight of Solar Power and Renewable Energy (RE) Projects/Schemes within the region. The procurement process will adhere to a Two-Cover system and will be conducted through an e-tendering platform. The Request for Selection (RFS) provides detailed information regarding the necessary criteria and technical specifications for the projects. Parties interested in participating can access the comprehensive bidding document, including qualifying information, eligibility requirements, technical specifications, the bill of quantities (BOQ), contract terms and conditions, and other pertinent details, via the official website here. The bidding document will be avail...

Authorities have "relocated" street vendors from the busiest market of Sopore town. Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Additional Deputy Commissioner Sopore, SA Raina said the move has been taken in order to decongest the town. "The street vendors have been relocated to other places in order to decongest the town. Especially Iqbal Market was often gridlocked due to the congestion as vendors had occupied roads,” he said. Identified locations will be utilized to rehabilitate the street vendors in an organized manner allowing them to continue their livelihood, he added—(KNO)

Special Search Teams from the State Taxes Department on Tuesday in Kashmir conducted a series of raids on numerous brick kilns in central Kashmir's Budgam district. This operation led by Shakeel Maqbool, the Additional Commissioner of the State Taxes Department, responsible for Administration and Enforcement in Kashmir found a troubling pattern: these brick kilns, despite surpassing the stipulated threshold, were operating without proper registration with the Goods and Service Tax (GST) department. Consequently, they were effectively evading substantial tax liabilities. Further compounding the issue, many of these kilns were found to be operating without the licences issued by the District Administration. During the operation, the Additional Commissioner issued clear directives to...