SRINAGAR: Secretary Tourism Jammu and Kashmir, Sarmad Hafeez on Tuesday said that Kashmir is being promoted as wedding destination as apart from other tourism activities, the Valley has a lot of potential as a wedding destination.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function here Hafeez said that recently a couple could to Pahalgam from Canada for a destination wedding.

“Apart from adventure tourism and other tourism activities, we are trying to promote Kashmir as a wedding destination as it has a lot of potentials and people are keen to conduct weddings here,” he said.

He added that they come so many tourism products and recently a cyclothon was organised for the promotion of adventure tourism in the Valley and for which about 70 untapped destinations have already been identified and are being promoted.

Replying to a question, he said that education tourism is also being promoted here and apart from people coming to study here, “we should also try and have exchange programmes with various institutions around the world and around the country. We are also trying to promote corporate tourism here,” he said.

He also said that they are trying to take tourism to the grassroots level and provide people, who come here, with a complete tourism experience.

Srinagar : Apni Party President Syed Muhammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that his party stands for J &K’s peace, prosperity and development.

He also said Apni Party is also working for political and economic empowerment of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to a press note, he was addressing a party function here. Several political activists from Mehjoor Nagar and Bagh-e-Mehtab areas of the city joined Apni Party.

Bukhari greeted the new entrants into the party fold during the joining event organized at the party office at Sheikh Bagh in Srinagar. In charge of Chanapora Constituency Mohammad Ashraf Dar, and Provincial Convenor for the party’s youth wing Shoaib Dar were also present on the occasion.

The new entrants include Wasim Raja and Mohammad Altaf from Mehjoor Nagar and Riyaz Ahmad Wani (Kaka Ji), and Nisar Ahmad from Housing Colony Bagh-e-Mehtab. They joined the party along with their workers and supporters.

By King RJ

Bhaderwah : Known for growing exotic world famous red beans(Rajmash), organic vegetables and fruits, Kanser Panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhaderwah will soon become the highest village in Doda district to have all-weather road connectivity as authorities starts laying macadam on the 15 km Nagar-lanchan to Kanser road being constructed under PMGSY scheme.

Situated at an elevation of 7780 ft above sea level, Kanser village is primarily inhabited by Gaddi and Sippi tribes who earn their livelihood by raring sheep and growing organic vegetables, red beans (Rajmash) and high quality fruits like quins, apricots, walnut, Plump etc.

Residents of the hill top village are beaming with joy as after 2 decade long wait, finally Kanser which is strategically located from where one can have bird’s eye view of Bhaderwah town, beside iconic Ashapati Glacier and Kailash Kund will now be accessible in all weather conditions via all-weather road connectivity after DDC Chairman Doda Dhananter Singh Kotwal along with Vice Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat kick started laying of Macadam on the 15 Km road stretch passing through steep and dense coniferous forest.

“The road which has the potential of becoming the game changer of the 3500 tribal population is being constructed with a project cost of 9.40 lacs and will be completed by October 10 subject to weather conditions,” said Atta Mohd Sheikh, AEE PMGSY Bhaderwah.

DDC Vice-Chairperson Sangeeta Bhagat said that the area is famous for its agricultural products especially Rajmash and due to unavailability of road connectivity, people were facing hardships while reaching out to markets, but now their dream is going to come true as they are not getting just road connectivity but also blacktopped all weather connectivity.

Locals also expressed their gratitude to Government, Administration and PMGSY authorities for taking care of their grievances regarding road connectivity. 

"Our were living in miserable conditions due absence of road connectivity which is very necessary for development of any area. Nature has gifted us with famous Rajmash and other products but we were unable to get benefits as it was very difficult for us to reach 12 KM away market by foot to sell our produce, " said Sudhir Kumar, a local resident.

“Now with the road connectivity, we will not only get good rates of our produce but our children will be able to get quality education in city schools, for which we are indebted to Government,” Kumar added.

Jammu, Sept 26: The sleuths of CBI on Monday conducted raids in Chand Nagar near Jewel in Jammu district with regard to the J&K Police Sub Inspector recruitment scam.

The CBI team reached the residence and hotel of an accused person and launched searches there. The premises were allegedly used in the scam.

It is learned that the raid was conducted following disclosure of the accused persons in the scam.

In a statement Social activist and AAP Leader Gurmeet Singh Baaghi said that the dilapidated condition of roads in Jammu and Kashmir is giving tough time to the commuters. The bad condition of roads due to which many accidents take place every year. A poor condition of roads is one of the major causes of road accidents. Though not all accidents are caused by poor roads, however poor roads play quite a significant role in these accidents.
Baaghi added that almost all the interior roads of Baba Ajit Singh Nagar (Ward No. 73) are in dilapidated condition, resulting into most inconvenience to people. The roads leading to Gurudwara Sahib (Baba Ajit Singh Nagar) and other areas of Baba Ajit Singh Nagar (Ward no. 73) in worst condition as they have developed large potholes and the roads of the areas are being neglected for a long time now. It has been years that the condition of roads is bad but authorities are taking no action in this regard. The people of the area are facing a huge inconvenience while traveling on the roads. The road is not fit for even pedestrians to walk. Potholes and bumpy roads are giving a hard time to people and it seems the government is least concerned. The officials of concerned department are not initiating process for the repair of this road. Due to the dilapidated condition of the road and lack of proper drainage system, the commuters are facing problems and the number of road accidents are also on the rise. This problem of poor roads is quite widespread in J&K. Especially during and after the monsoons the roads are badly damaged. Mostly after the monsoons the drains get damaged. Quite frequently these broken drains and uncovered manholes become the causes of the accidents.These accidents can be stopped by making quality roads and timely repair of the broken roads, poor drainage system and insanitary conditions of roads. The condition of the roads has gone from bad to worse in various parts of the JK (UT). It has become a herculean task for motorists, especially two-wheeler riders to commute on these roads.The maintenance of roads is poor. It was the result of a single heavy shower that almost all the roads have developed dangerous potholes, he added.
Baaghi, said that the worst condition of roads has made travel miserable and patients being ferried for treatment are the worst victims of this mess. Apart from other trouble, the wear and tear of vehicles has unduly gone up as the suspensions get damaged and also the tyres which burdens the pockets of common man.The bad roads have further damaged the state economy, Baaghi added.
Baaghi appealed the concerned authorities in the Union Territory of J&K to immediately repair the roads.

JAMMU : A grenade was found in Surankote area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Monday, officials said.
According to the officials, the grenade was found lying near a stream at Fazalabad village by some people who informed police about it.
A bomb disposal squad was rushed to the spot to safely defuse the explosive substance, they said. (AGENCIES)