Tag: ganderbal

First Time: Kashmir Angel Network Clinches Investment Deals for Three Startup’s

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SRINAGAR: In a landmark development Kashmir Angel Network (KAN) secured investment commitments for three startups who pitched their business ideas to a galaxy of investors today at a local hotel at Srinagar. The first of its kind investor-startup summit organised by KAN also marked the beginning of new era of Alternate Investment Funding available for homegrown business.
Kashmir Angel Network team with the start-ups and the investors at the networks maiden pitch session in Srinagar on February 25, 2023. KL Image by Shuaib Wani
Commenting on the the development, Shabir A Handoo, CEO KAN said today was a historical moment for the Startup ecosystem in Kashmir and with this beginning many a glass ceilings were breached.
The three startups who received undisclosed amount of funding from a number of local Angel Investors are from diverse sectors of the economy. One of the startups that received instant investment commitments, Cred Agro, is an agritech company that uses integrated agriculture systems for utilisation of fallow lands.
Another startup, Lieper Books, that generated a lot interest among the Angel investor community present in the event is a social media networking platform for book lovers. Another Startup, Kashmir Origin is an e-commerce platform with a B2B and B2C business model. The startup founders were upbeat about their pitches being well-received by the investors.
The year-old Kashmir Angel Network in its maiden pitch session managed investment in three Kashmir startup’s
KAN, a local network which hosted the maiden event is an initiative of a few professionals, working towards the creation of an enabling environment for Startups in Kashmir. The year old company aims to build a Network of Angel Investors who are willing to invest in early-stage businesses besides providing them mentorship and hand-holding support.
CEO KAN in his opening remarks said that KAN has a vision to act as a multiplier in the efforts of the government in creating a thriving private sector in the region by way of mentoring, financing and incubating starups’. he said that such summits shall be regularly organised by KAN so that more and more startups get an opportunity to raise funds in their home turf.
Irtif Loan conducted the Pitch Session of the event and said that KAN is evolving as a platform where startups and investors meet, exchange ideas and create businesses. Commenting on today’s event said that the event is a first in the series of events planned by KAN to leverage resources, networks and Government-led initiatives to be a part of the growth story scripted by startups across.
In the pitch session the four startups from Kashmir region that presented their business ideas to the investors were Cred Agro, Lieper Books, and Kashmir Origin.
Cred Agro is an agro-tech company using integrated agriculture systems for utilisation of fallow lands. Lieper Books is a social media networking platform for book lovers. Kashmir Origin is an e-commerce platform with a B2B and B2C business model.
The pitches were well-received by the investors. The presentations generated a lot of interest and discussions around the strategies pitched by the startups.
The higlight of the event was that all the three start ups pitched for investment got the investment committments right during the event.

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#Time #Kashmir #Angel #Network #Clinches #Investment #Deals #Startups
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
People Not In A Position To Bear The Burden Of Paying The Property Tax At This Stage: KCC&I

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SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) has expressed its opposition to the government’s decision to impose property tax in Jammu & Kashmir. In a recent meeting of the Executive Committee, the KCC&I stated that the sentiment of trade, commerce, and industry in the union territory is low, and people are not in a position to bear the burden of paying the property tax at this stage.
The KCC&I believes that Jammu & Kashmir has undergone a long spell of disturbed periods during which time businesses and citizens have suffered and depleted their assets and lifetime savings. While some sectors have shown signs of revival, it is not advisable to burden people with more taxes, especially considering the post-Covid economic scenario.
The KCC&I draw the attention of authorities to the global sentiment of revival and requests them to reconsider imposing property tax, at least until the economic scenario stabilizes. The Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir being a landlocked tier 3 state, cannot be compared justifiably with Delhi, Chandigarh, or other UT or states, the KCC&I added.
The KCC&I appeals to the administration to put the notified property tax on hold, and instead consult with stakeholders before making any decision. The KCC&I remind authorities that property tax was levied in the past but had to be withdrawn for obvious reasons.

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#People #Position #Bear #Burden #Paying #Property #Tax #Stage #KCCI
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
Property Tax To Improve Financial Self-Sustainability Of Cities And Improvement Of Public Amenities: LG

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SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said citizens’ welfare is foremost priority of the government and property tax will ensure financial self-sustainability of cities and improvement of public amenities in the Union Territory.
In a statement LG Manoj Sinha said that our cities must witness rapid development and emerge as engines of growth. “For that financial self-sustainability of cities is necessary. Property tax in J&K will be one of the lowest in the country and will be used for improving public amenities in J&K.”
“Implementation shall be done in consultation with general public. Common citizens’ interests will be protected,” he added.

Previous articleSchools In Gurez to Reopen On March 5

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#Property #Tax #Improve #Financial #SelfSustainability #Cities #Improvement #Public #Amenities
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
Schools In Gurez to Reopen On March 5

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SRINAGAR: The opening of the schools in Gurez area of the north Kashmir’s Baramulla District has been postponed till March 5 in view of the fresh snowfall forecast.
According to an order issued by sub-divisional magistrate Gurez, the decision has been taken as a precautionary measure.
“In light of the recent snowfall forecast and avalanche warning, and in the interest of safety and as a precautionary measure, the opening of school educational institutitions, which was scheduled to begin on March 1, 2023, is hereby postponed until March 5, 2023,” the order read.

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#Schools #Gurez #Reopen #March
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
PM Fasal Bima Yojana Extended TO All 20 Districts Of J&K

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SRINAGAR: To bring about the much needed agricultural reforms in the UT, the government Friday extended Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) to the farmers of all 20 districts of J&K.
Speaking at the launching event of the extension of PMFBY at SKUAST Jammu, Lt Governor said that the scheme would provide comprehensive coverage against crop losses arising out of natural calamities and unseasonal rains.
Launched in the year 2016, PMFBY aims at supporting sustainable production in agriculture and was earlier available to only four districts of the UT.
“The initiative will stabilize the income of farmers; encourage them to adopt innovative practices with sufficient insurance protection from climatic catastrophe. I urge all the farmers to avail the benefits of PM Fasal Bima Yojna,” Lt Governor said.
Lt Governor said that the implementation of PMFBY across J&K would have a positive impact on the agricultural scenario in J&K and also complement the efforts of the J&K administration in creating a progressive environment.
Proper dissemination of relevant information and transparency in the implementation of PMFBY would be ensured. Crop insurance mobile app and toll free number of the insurance company would facilitate the farmers to report about the losses, he added.
He also highlighted the agriculture reforms introduced in J&K in the past 30 months.
“The welfare of the farmers is our top-most priority. The J&K administration has taken major decisions in the agriculture, horticulture and allied sectors to shape the vision of inclusive development,” he said.

I am confident that agriculture and allied sectors will guide the prosperous future of J&K. The groundbreaking 29 projects worth Rs 5013 crore for the holistic development of agriculture and allied sectors will provide an integrated solution to all issues related to agriculture and allied sectors with a mechanism to reduce wastage and increase production, Lt Governor added.
The LG said that with meticulous implementation of the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan, J&K could achieve 12 percent growth in the agriculture sector.
“J&K is the first region in the country where agriculture reforms are being attempted on such a large scale. It is our endeavor to generate large scale employment in the agriculture sector, ensure economic stability for farmers especially the small and marginal farmers and facilitate the setting up of new agri business enterprises,” he said. “We are moving ahead with a strong resolve to bring prosperity in the lives of our farming community and other stakeholders associated with the agriculture and allied sector.”
The LG said that the administration was also promoting entrepreneurship in the sheep and goat sector and encouraging the farmers to adopt millet crops.
He appreciated the Agriculture Production and allied departments for providing training to a large number of farmers.
The LG emphasized dedicated and collective efforts to transform J&K into the number one region in terms of farmers’ income and sought people’s participation in implementation of government policies.
Reiterating that administration is commitment to safeguard the interests of the people he said, “Citizen participation is crucial to foster economic growth, strengthening of infrastructure and services to achieve the goal of a prosperous society,” the LG said. “Progressive farmers also shared their views on interventions of the government aiming at growth of agriculture and allied sectors in J&K.”
On the occasion, the Agriculture Production Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with National Seeds Corporation to provide good quality certified seeds to the farmers of J&K.
The occasion also witnessed the release of the Milestone Report and Logo of Holistic Agriculture Development Plan and a Coffee Table Book ‘Vihan’ on 29 projects under HADP by the LG.
The irrigation schedule 2023-24 for both Kashmir and Jammu divisions was released while sanction letters were also handed over to beneficiary entrepreneurs under the National Livestock Mission.
A dedicated YouTube channel of the Agriculture Production Department for awareness of farmers and promoting their success stories was also launched.

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#Fasal #Bima #Yojana #Extended #Districts
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
Thailand University Offers Scholarship, Details Here

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Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT), Thailand is inviting applications for a fully funded scholarship in Master’s and PhD programmes for the year 2023.
Forty foreign students will be paid scholarships in about 15 academic fields including Biochemistry, Digital Engineering, Science, Management, Mechanical Engineering, and Artificial Intelligence among others.
The documents required for the scholarship include a CV/resume, Academic transcripts, Identity proof, a research paper, a Personal statement, Two recommendation letters, and an English Proficiency certificate.
Selected candidates will be provided with a full tuition fee, full thesis support, medical insurance, and a living allowance of 10,000 Baht (23,800) per month. Candidates will receive round-trip economy class tickets and a miscellaneous fund of 10,000 Baht (23,800).
The last date to apply is March 15, 2023.
For further information, and to apply click here

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#Thailand #University #Offers #Scholarship #Details

( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
Property Tax To Be Used For People’s Welfare, Better Facilities: Govt

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SRINAGAR: The government on Saturday said that imposing property tax is aimed at ensuring better facilities for the people.
Addressing a news conference today at TRC meeting hall here, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir V K Bidhuri, who was accompanied by SMC Commissioner, Athar Aamir Khan clarified that 1/3rd of the population are already exempted from the property tax as their property area is less than 1000 square feet.
He added that the Jammu and Kashmir is last in the country where the property tax is being imposed. “Unlike other places, the property tax is very less. The property tax will be collected from those whose houses are built at more than 1500 square feet,” he said. He also said that the tax to be paid only once in a year.
He added that the collected amount will be used for the people and the amount will remain in the account of corporation and municipal committees only.
Bidhuri further stated that there was no option other than imposing property tax, which would be acceptable to the people, for ensuring better facilities to them.
The SMC Commissioner, while interacting with media persons, said that the tax that would be collected from people from April will be used for better facilities to people. “At present SMC’s revenue is just ten per cent compared to its requirement. This will help in ensuring better services and facilities to the people as the tax cannot be transferred to the central or state government and used for developmental purposes only,” he said.

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#Property #Tax #Peoples #Welfare #Facilities #Govt

( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
Ghulam Nabi Azad Sends Legal Notice To Jairam Ramesh For His Derogatory Remarks

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SRINAGAR: Former colleagues, Jairam Ramesh and Ghulam Nabi Azad are at loggerheads once again, as Azad has slapped the Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh with a defamation notice for reportedly calling him a “slave”, “Mir Jafar” and a “vote- cutter”.
In the notice, which has been sent through Azad’s legal counsel Naresh Kumar Gupta, the DAP chief seeks compensation of Rs 2 crore from the Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh for causing damage to his “unblemished reputation”.
“That you Mr Jairam Ramesh (Notice Receiver)… always remain in search of occasion to tarnish and harm the growing dignity, respect, honour conferred upon him (Azad) at national level, by way of repeated posts in your Twitter account word ‘Ghulam’ in order to inflict injury to lower him in the estimation of others, soon after Mr Azad was honoured by Padam Bhushan Award,” the notice read.
Its pertinent to mention that earlier in January , the senior Congress leader took at jibe at Ghulam Nabi Azad’s DAP by calling it “ Disappearing Azad Party” after the exit of the leaders from the newly formed DAP.
Earlier during Bharat Jodo Yatra’s J&K leg, Ramesh had called DAP chief “Mir Jafar” and alleged that he had been propped up by the BJP to cut the Congress’ votes in J&K.
The notice emphasized that the name calling was a deliberate attempt to defame Azad in public and tarnish his image and said that the Congress General Secretary had committed an offence under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) section 500 ( punishment for defamation) and was liable to pay monetary compensation.
Mr Ramesh used the name “Ghulam” that translates to “slave”, deliberately and intentionally, to defame the leader in the public, Gupta said in the notice.
The notice stated that the “imputation and defamatory aspersions” remarks made against Azad in press statements were based purely on malice, and have caused the DPAP chief “mental agonies, torture, harassment” and tarnished his image, “which can’t be repaired”.

Mir Jafar, who served as the commander of the Bengal army under Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, betrayed him during the Battle of Plassey, paving the way for British rule in India. Since then, his name has become a synonym for “traitor.”
Gupta advised Jairam Ramesh to tender an “unconditional apology” through print-electronic media and on social media to Azad, or through any sort of communication, within two weeks from the date of receipt of the legal notice.

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#Ghulam #Nabi #Azad #Sends #Legal #Notice #Jairam #Ramesh #Derogatory #Remarks
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
Teacher Suspended For ‘Criticizing Government’ On Social Media

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SRINAGAR: A teacher has been suspended for allegedly criticizing policies of the government on social media platforms in the Ramban district.
According to an order, Joginder Singh, teacher GPS Chanderkote was suspended for criticizing policies of the government on social media platforms.
The teacher, as per the order, has been attached to the office of chief education officer Ramban and an inquiry committee has also been constituted, which will be headed by additional district development commissioner Ramban to probe the matter.
“The inquiry committee will initiate an in-depth inquiry and submit a comprehensive report on the matter, along with specific recommendations, by or before March 25,” reads the order.

Previous articleMeT Predicts Snowfall In Kashmir

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#Teacher #Suspended #Criticizing #Government #Social #Media
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023
MeT Predicts Snowfall In Kashmir

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SRINAGAR: The weather department on Thursday forecast scattered to fairly widespread light rain and snow over Jammu and Kashmir in next 24 hours.
Quoting a meteorological department official news agency GNS reported that scattered light rain and snow was expected for subsequent two days.
Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 1.6°C, the same as on the previous night and it was above normal by 0.1°C for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 0.2°C, also the same on the previous night and it was 0.2°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.2°C against minus 3.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 2.5°C against 2.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.4°C above normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.0°C against minus 3.4°C on the previous night and it was 4.8°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at minus 0.3°C against 0.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 11.2°C against 10.2°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C ‘below’ normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 6.4°C (above normal by 4.2°C), Batote 8.0°C (above normal by 4.5°C), Katra 11.6°C (2.1°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 3.7°C (2.9°C above normal).
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 9.0°C and 12.4°C respectively, the official said.
While Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21 and a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that followed it have ended, Kashmir is under grip of 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which ends on March 1.

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#MeT #Predicts #Snowfall #Kashmir
( With inputs from : kashmirlife.net )

February 25, 2023