Latest news with #J&K
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
10% dip in registration, one-third confirm travel plan post Pahalgam attack: J&K LG
Since the Pahalgam attack, there has been a 10.19% decline in the registration of pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra with only one-third confirming their travel plan so far, J&K lieutenant governor (LG) Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. He also said that a comprehensive and robust security plan was in place with additional security personnel on ground for the pilgrimage. Jammu and Kashmir lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha addressing a press conference in Srinagar on Thursday. (ANI) Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, he said 2.36 lakh registrations were there till April 22. 'As many as 85,000 of them have confirmed their registration. This number is increasing. We are hoping that the registrations will pick up in the coming days. Last year, 2.12 lakh pilgrims, the highest number in 12 years, turned up. This year too a large number of registrations took place before April 22, but the registrations declined 10.19% after the Pahalgam attack.' The LG said the Pahalgam attack had an impact on J&K, particularly in Kashmir. 'The confidence (among people) is now increasing owing to the security measures. With the success of this yatra, the confidence will get a further boost, and tourism, business and economy will improve,' he said. Sinha said that the police, the army and the CAPF chalked out a robust arrangement for the annual pilgrimage that would commence on July 3 and end on August 9 (Raksha Bandhan). 'Aerial domination, three-tier security in base camps and deployments have been ensured. All security agencies, be it J&K police or CAPF companies, are more in number. Mock drills have been completed,' he said. Sinha said the security of tourist spots and the pilgrimage routes have also been increased. 'That is why we have opened some of the tourist places in a phased manner. Other places will also be opened phase-wise,' he said. Sinha also said that the pilgrims would travel in convoys right from Jammu while verifications of people associated with yatra have also been done. 'The convoy squad will start right from Lakhanpur. The yatra will start from Bhagwati Nagar, Jammu,' he said. He appealed to the pilgrims to travel with convoys only. 'We are making such arrangements that all arrive with a convoy so that they reach safely and easily. Those coming in private vehicles are also welcome but I appeal to them to move with convoys only,' he said. Owing to different reasons, the heli services have been closed this year. ' Security was also a reason (for no heli services). Around 8% pilgrims use the services of helicopters so it won't have any major impact on the Yatra,' he said. He said that an RFID-based tracking system was already introduced. 'All pilgrims and service providers are provided cards. For live feed, high quality cameras have been established and integrated command and control centres are functional — one in Raj Bhawan and another with police,' he said. The April 22 attack had left 25 tourists and a local man dead in Baisaran, Pahalgam, that forced India to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7, resulting in India targeting Pakistan's terror camps and later exchange of drone and missile strikes by the two nations. On June 22, the National Investigation Agency had arrested two people from south Kashmir who allegedly provided shelter to the Pakistani terrorists who carried out the attack. The accused said that the attackers were three Pakistani men affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Pahalgam is one of the two main base camps and routes of the Amarnath Yatra from where pilgrims trek 36-km to the mountainous paths. From central Kashmir's Baltal side, the Yatra route is shorter but steeper with yatris having to trek just 14 km. Muharram procession from traditional routes Shia Muslims will be allowed to take out Muharram-8 procession from its traditional route in Srinagar like it has been allowed for the past two years, J&K LG Manoj Sinha said on Thursday. Sinha said that there would be no change in the route of Muharram procession from last year's. The LG led government had allowed the Muharram-8 procession in 2023 and 2024 from its traditional route in Srinagar after 34 years. The mourners, commemorating the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), would march from Guru Bazar through MA Road. The march would culminate at Dalgate. The procession was banned during militancy from the early 1990s owing to law and order issues.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
PC chief flays NC govt over resignation statement
Peoples Conference president and Handwara legislator Sajad Lone in a scathing attack on National Conference leadership, questioned their ethical consistency and the sincerity of their rhetoric framing chief minister's resignation as a path to restoring Jammu & Kashmir's statehood. Peoples conference chief Sajad Lone (File) In a statement, Lone said that in the history of NC nobody has ever resigned. 'Nobody will ever resign in the future,' he said accusing that the party 'believes in the maxim. Power at any cost.' The remarks of Sajjad Lone came in response to Omar Abdullah's offer to resign for new elections if statehood is announced by the central government. Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday had said that if statehood is granted to J&K he will ask Lt governor to dissolve the assembly. Omar said that he had seen a 'planted report' which mentioned that incase J&K gets statehood new elections are mandatory. The NC won landslide victory in the assembly polls last year, the first elections since J&K had become UT. Lone cited several examples, including NC's stance of not resigning when, 'Autonomy resolution was rejected by the Union government, when current CM was a Union minister in the government which rejected the autonomy resolution.' Referring to the abrogation of Article 370, Lone remarked that: 'On August 5 they had 3 MPs in the Parliament. None of them resigned.' He further said, 'In 1989 Farooq Sahib resigned when law and order had broken down completely and the entire NC council of ministers fled the valley.' Dismissing the chief minister's recent remarks on resignation, Lone called them, 'Yet another series of theatrical tantrums,' and added, 'CM Sahib's statement that he would resign if it paves way for statehood' was hollow, emphasising that 'till date the assembly has not passed a resolution on statehood. That describes his seriousness on the issue.' Without mincing words, Lone threw a direct challenge at Omar Abdullah: 'You really mean business. Resign. We all will resign. And sit on protest in Jantar Mantar.' He further drew a parallel between the CM's current posturing and past unfulfilled promises, stating that 'your statements of intent are as true as the promises you made in the election manifesto.'
United News of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
J&K leaders welcomes ceasefire between Iran & Israel
Srinagar, June 24 (UNI) J&K's mainstream political leaders on Tuesday welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel following the days of clashes. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called it a much-needed step after days of destruction and escalating tensions in the region. "It's been 11 days, and there has been a lot of destruction during this period. We welcome the ceasefire and hope it is implemented fully and without delay," Omar said. He added that the conflict had directly affected Indian nationals, particularly students from Jammu and Kashmir studying in Iran. "We had to bring back our children who were studying in Iran once the conflict began. At times, evacuation flights faced problems due to airspace closures. But today, we are hopeful that a large group of our students will return, and perhaps after that, the evacuation process will be complete," he said. Former Chief Minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah expressed gratitude to the Almighty for the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, stating that it would help prevent further loss of innocent lives. "With this, innocent lives will now be saved," Abdullah said. He added that the ceasefire was not the result of any side surrendering, but rather due to global pressure and humanitarian concerns. "No one has surrendered—not Iran, not America. The world stepped in because continued conflict would have had serious humanitarian and economic consequences," Abdullah said. He emphasized that prolonged conflict would have severely impacted regional and global economies. Another former Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti praised Iran's response in the conflict with the United States and Israel, calling it a moment of pride for the Muslim world. "We salute the people of Iran, their army, and their leadership. With nothing but the spirit of martyrdom and faith, they brought superpowers like America and Israel to their knees," Mehbooba told reporters in Srinagar. She claimed that the pressure on Israel to agree to a ceasefire came from Iran's resistance, adding, "Today, even Donald Trump is reportedly telling Qatar that Israel is ready for a ceasefire—but that Iran must be convinced." Urging Muslim countries to reflect on Iran's stance, Mehbooba criticized them for spending money elsewhere instead of supporting Iran during a critical time. She also praised China and Russia for their diplomatic roles. "Despite America's intentions, Iran has emerged stronger,' she said. UNI MJR BM
India Today
4 days ago
- Business
- India Today
Over 25.5 percent of women filed ITRs in FY24, up from last year
The number of women filing income tax returns in India has increased strongly by 25.3 per cent in the last four years, from 1.83 crore in the assessment year (AY) 2019-20 to more than 2.29 crore in AY 2023-24, according to studies carried out by the Income Tax shows that more women are getting well-paid jobs or running their own business, a senior official total number of income tax returns (ITRs) - both by individuals and corporates - exceeded 7.97 crore during AY data revealed that Maharashtra had the highest number of women ITRs with 36,83,457 in AY24, with a growth of 23 per ranked second with 22,50,098 women filing ITRs with a significant growth of 24.4 per cent, while Uttar Pradesh came third with 20,43,794 ITRs and a strong growth of 29.2 per cent during this period. Growth rates were similarly noted in other larger states as well. The number of women filing ITR in Tamil Nadu grew by over 20 per cent from AY20 to AY24, rising from 12,92,028 in AY20 to 15,51,769 in AY24. In Karnataka, the increase was 20 per cent from AY20 to AY24, with women filers growing from 11,34,903 to 14,30,345. Similarly, in Punjab, the increase recorded was 36.23 per cent, growing from 9,70,801 in AY20 to 13,22,580 in AY24, while Rajasthan's increase was 25.49 per cent to 13,52, of Women Filing ITRs2019-201.83 crore2020-211.87 crore2021-222.02 crore2022-232.15 crore2023-242.29 croreadvertisementSimilar gains were recorded in lower-population states and Union Territories, with J&K and Mizoram recording a substantial rise in the number of women filing income-tax returns between 2019-20 and recorded a 96 per cent increase in the number of women filers (2,090), while J&K recorded a 49.2% increase in women filing income-tax returns, an increase of 1,17, an income tax return may sound difficult, but it's quite easy now, especially with everything available online. Here's a step-by-step guide:Step 1: Register on the Income Tax WebsiteGo to the official portal: on 'Register' (if new user) or 'Login' (if already registered).Use your PAN number, email, and mobile number to sign 2: Choose the Correct Assessment YearFor income earned in April 2023–March 2024, choose AY 2024– 3: Select the Right ITR FormSalaried individuals generally use you have business or freelance income, it could be ITR-3 or 4: Collect All DocumentsForm 16 (from the employer)Bank statementsTDS certificatesInvestment proofs (LIC, PPF, ELSS etc.)Aadhaar, PAN, and bank account detailsStep 5: Fill in the DetailsUse the 'e-File' option after logging can choose pre-filled ITR to make it easier—just cross-check and 6: Verify Your ReturnAfter submission, e-verify it through Aadhaar OTP, bank account, or net step is mandatory to complete the 7: Keep Acknowledgement SafeAfter successful submission, download the ITR-V (acknowledgement receipt).You can use this for a visa, loans, or financial if your income is below the taxable limit, filing ITR helps in building a financial record. It's useful for applying for visas, credit cards, home loans, or even for job background checks.- Ends
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
J&K suffered over Rs 60K cr in losses due to IWT: Expert
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has suffered economic losses of over Rs 60,000 crore due to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) since the bilateral pact came into force in 1960, according to an expert. 'Jammu and Kashmir has been the sufferer, worst hit by the IWT,' said former Professor of Economics at Kashmir University, Dr Nisar Ali, demanding a scientific assessment to know the true extent of the loss. The estimated losses are around Rs 60,000 crore, while official reports peg them at Rs 20,000 crore between 1960 and 1998, Dr Ali said. Under the IWT, Pakistan received an allocation of the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab), while India received the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej). According to Dr Ali, J&K's losses began to mount as it was not allowed to construct dams beyond a certain height and 'we cannot irrigate more than 13 lakh hectares of land'. As a result, the state failed to make optimum use of the Chenab and Indus waters, he said, adding: 'We cannot make big dams for power projects. We must utilise the run-of-the-river resources. If we had big dams, we could have stored more water and generated more electricity.' Such underutilisation led to the loss of electricity as a resource and limited agricultural activities, which, in turn, impacted development. Else, 'we could have big industries here'. Experts contend that of J&K's hydro potential of 20,000 MW, only 3,400 MWs have been harnessed. The result is that from being a self-sufficient economy in 1954, J&K is now dependent on central funds, and the IWT is partly responsible for this, according to the Professor. Sources said that past state governments had twice attempted to quantify the losses J&K suffered due to IWT by hiring external consultants. However, the first attempt in 2013 did not see the light of day because the consultant backed out because of official cold-shouldering. The second one in 2018 was shelved for unknown reasons, he said.
