Cold Wave, Rain, Hailstorm Hits Rice, Apple Crop In Kashmir

Rain, frequent windstorm and hailstorm has severely impacted horticulture and agriculture - the mainstay of Kashmir's rural economy. The erratic weather has plunged temperature several degrees below normal in Kashmir. In June, people are still wearing woollens.

At Daragam village of Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district, it's a double whammy for Bilal Ahmad. Not only his paddy seedlings are failing before plantation due to erratic weather and cold, a severe hailstorm has badly damaged his apple and cherry crops. Bilal's family of six, entirely dependent on farming, is now despairing.

"Paddy cultivation is failing. Seedling has not grown due to cold. I have sown paddy seeds again but that may come up in July," said Bilal Ahmad.

Normally, paddy plantation is completed by June but this time farmers like Bilal are struggling.

"Our orchard was also hit by hailstorm. There is nothing left. We appeal government for help," said Bilal Ahmad.

Ghulam Hassan, another villager, says he had sown paddy seeds twice in the last two months and it failed both times. The unseasonal rain has drowned his dreams as he is left with just a few seedlings, not enough for his half acre paddy farm.

"Because of cold, seedlings have not grown. Both quality and quality have been impacted. Cold weather has badly affected our paddy crop," said Ghulam Hassan.

Many are now seeking divine intervention against the erratic weather. Special prayers are being held at several places for improvement in weather.

The Meteorological Office has predicted more rain and advised farmers to not carry out farming operations till the 5th of this month.

The Jammu And Kashmir Government agriculture department says they have set up protected nurseries in every district to help distressed farmers whose seedlings have failed. But warns that more rains and cold could further damage.

"Taking into consideration all these factors I have managed certain nurseries in my own (department) farms. If at any point of time there is any deficiency, I will arrange it from here," said Iqbal Chaudary, Director Agriculture department Kashmir.

Mr Chaudary said all other interventions and measures have been taken by the department to help farmers but warns decrease in production if temperature falls further.

"If temperature falls further, there will be delay and paddy production will decrease," said Mr Chaudary.

Kashmir produces over 22 lakh metric tons of apple which is more than 70% of total apple production in the country. Cold and freak weather conditions have caused a massive damage to the crop.

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Will Release 200 Indian Fishermen, 3 Civilian Prisoners: Pak Minister

Pakistan Minister of Foreign Affairs Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Friday said the country will release 200 Indian fishermen and three civilian prisoners.

"Today, Pakistan is releasing 200 Indian fishermen and 3 civilian prisoners. Earlier, 198 Indian fishermen were repatriated on May 12, 2023. This is in line with Pakistan's policy of not politicizing humanitarian matters. Compassion should take precedence over politics," Bilawal tweeted on Friday.

Recently, the Indian Coast Guard ship acted swiftly to free Indian fishermen who were being taken to a Pakistani port by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA).

The incident took place on October 6 when the Indian Coast Guard ship Arinjay received information about an emergency involving an Indian fishing boat Harsiddhi-5 from Jakhau which was involved in fishing activities close to the maritime boundary line off the Gujarat coast, Indian Coast Guard officials told ANI.

"On receipt of the information regarding distress onboard Harsiddhi, on radio, ICG ship on patrol immediately proceeded with maximum speed towards the reported position," they said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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गहलोत-पायलट विवाद पर कांग्रेस ने कहा- "पार्टी सर्वोपरि है और विधानसभा चुनाव एकजुट होकर लड़ेंगे"

नई दिल्ली: कांग्रेस ने राजस्थान के मुख्यमंत्री अशोक गहलोत और पूर्व उपमुख्यमंत्री सचिन पायलट के बीच के विवाद को सुलझाने के प्रयासों की पृष्ठभूमि में बृहस्पतिवार को कहा कि पार्टी सर्वोपरि है और आगामी विधानसभा चुनाव में पूरी पार्टी एकजुट होकर लड़ेगी. पार्टी महासचिव जयराम रमेश ने गहलोत और पायलट की ओर से बयानों का सिलसिला जारी रहने के बारे में पूछे जाने पर यह टिप्पणी की.

रमेश ने संवाददाताओं से कहा, ‘‘29 मई को लंबी बैठक हुई थी. सभी विषयों पर चर्चा हुई. पार्टी सर्वोपरि है. हम एकजुट होकर चुनाव लड़ेंगे और जीतेंगे.'' उल्लेखनीय है कि कांग्रेस ने गहलोत और पायलट के साथ पार्टी अध्यक्ष मल्लिकार्जुन खरगे और पूर्व अध्यक्ष राहुल गांधी की मैराथन बैठक के बाद गत सोमवार को कहा था कि दोनों नेता आगामी विधानसभा चुनाव एकजुट होकर लड़ने पर सहमत हैं और उनके बीच के मुद्दों का समाधान आलाकमान करेगा.

पार्टी के संगठन महासचिव केसी वेणुगोपाल ने यह भी कहा था कि गहलोत और पायलट पार्टी के प्रस्ताव पर सहमत हो गए हैं. हालांकि, उन्होंने इस बारे में कोई ब्योरा नहीं दिया था. पायलट ने पूर्ववर्ती भारतीय जनता पार्टी ( भाजपा) सरकार में कथित भ्रष्टाचार के खिलाफ कार्रवाई सहित अपनी अन्य मांगों से पीछे हटने से बुधवार को इनकार करते हुए कहा कि उन्होंने जिन मुद्दों को उठाया था, उनसे समझौता करने की कोई संभावना नहीं है.

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Successful Conclusion Of G20 Meet Lesson For Trouble Makers: J&K Lt Governor

The successful conclusion of the third tourism working group meeting of the G20 countries here is a huge lesson for those who have frequently tried to foment trouble in Jammu and Kashmir, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said here on Thursday.

"The tourism meeting of the G20 countries concluded on May 25. The successful G20 meeting in J-K is not only a matter of happiness for the country, but a huge lesson for those who have frequently tried to create trouble in J&K," Sinha said, addressing a function at SKICC here.

The LG said such a large number of people could only participate because of the dawn of change ushered under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership since 2019, the year the Centre abrogated Article 370. "I do not want to go into the details, but the achievements made in various sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, have increased the belief of the people in the administration and the current PM," Sinha said.

Jammu and Kashmir has come a long way and places like Shopian or Pulwama districts in south Kashmir, which the country knew for other reasons, saw the participation of more than 10,000 youths in the Tiranga yatra, the LG said.

"These youths chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' carrying Tiranga in their hands. This is the change Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed in the last three years. We resolve to work towards the target set by the PM for Jammu and Kashmir. Undoubtedly, not only will J&K integrate with India, but it will also have an important contribution towards developed India," Mr Sinha said.

He was addressing the World Milk Day Celebration and summer meet for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Parshottam Rupala presided over the event.

Mr Sinha said the celebration of World Milk Day here is an opportunity to acknowledge the contribution of dairy farmers. "Dairy makes an important contribution to the prosperity of the society and to the well-being and economic activity of the farming families. The UT government attaches the highest importance to sustained increase in productivity and growth of the dairy sector," he said.

The Lt Governor highlighted the contribution of the dairy sector in giving impetus to the rural economy and providing livelihood to a large population associated with the sector. Mr Sinha said Jammu and Kashmir administration is strengthening its ties with other states and even countries to transform the livestock and dairy sector and to improve farmers' income.

The government has its focus on fodder production, improving wool quality, and addressing issues like inbreeding, he said, adding, the Union Territory will soon become self-sufficient in fodder production with 80 per cent of fodder being grown locally.

The LG also spoke on the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) and gave suggestions to the farming community on how to get easy credit access, stressing them to become a part of the banking system. He also said the people of Jammu and Kashmir must identify 25 potential projects in agriculture and allied sectors and rope in reputed universities to work out strategies to see them through, he said. The Lt Governor also urged the Centre to consider Jammu and Kashmir for international funding like other Himalayan states. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Court Orders SpiceJet To Pay Rs 75 Crore To Kalanidhi Maran, His Airline

The Delhi High Court has directed SpiceJet to deposit "forthwith" Rs 75 crore that has to be paid to media baron Kalanidhi Maran and his Kal Airways towards interest on an arbitral award of Rs 578 crore.

The high court said, admittedly, there is no modification of the February 13, 2023 order passed by the Supreme Court in the case, and hence it needs to be followed.

“Since the judgment debtor (SpiceJet) had failed to pay an amount of Rs 75 crores to decree holder (Maran and Kal Airways), hence in terms of para 15 (ii) of the order dated February 13, 2023 of the Supreme Court, there is no other alternative except to call upon the judgment debtors to deposit the entire outstanding amount qua interest forthwith, thus is so directed. Affidavit of assets be also filed within four weeks from today,” Justice Yogesh Khanna said in an order passed on May 29.

The top court, in its February 13 order said "The appellant (SpiceJet) shall, within a period of three months, pay an amount of Rs 75 crores to the respondent (Maran and Kal Airways) towards the liability on account of interest pending the disposal of the petition…” On November 2, 2020, the high court had asked the airline to deposit around Rs 243 crore as interest in connection with the share transfer dispute with its former promoter, Maran, and Kal Airways.

On November 7, 2020, the top court had stayed the high court order.

On February 13 this year, the top court said the bank guarantee of Rs 270 crore of SpiceJet must be encashed immediately and the money be paid to Maran and Kal Airways towards dues from the arbitral award.

It said it had directed SpiceJet to pay within three months Rs 75 crore to Maran and Kal Airways towards the interest component on the arbitral award.

However, on May 29, the high court was informed that SpiceJet has not paid the interest amount.

Maran's counsel said the interest liability, which was Rs 362.49 crore, has since increased to Rs 380 crore and so the decree holder insists for compliance of the February 13 order of the top court.

The SpiceJet's lawyer, however, submitted they have already paid the principal amount of Rs 579.08 crore and now the payment with respect to only the interest is pending.

The lawyer said the company has already moved an application before the Supreme Court for extension of time by three months to the judgment debtor to make payment of Rs 75 crore to the decree holder.

The counsel said since the judgment debtor has filed an application before the Supreme Court for extension of time, it be not directed to deposit the balance amount.

Filing of such an application was disputed by the counsel for Maran who said this court has no power to extend the time limit as was granted by the top court.

The high court agreed with the submission of Maran's lawyer and said the explanation appears to be plausible as, admittedly, there has been no modification to the February order of the top court which needs to be followed.

SpiceJet and its promoter Ajay Singh were asked to deposit around Rs 243 crore as interest payable on Rs 578 crore, which the high court had, in 2017, asked the airline to deposit under the 2018 arbitration award in the share-transfer dispute.

The high court had granted six weeks to SpiceJet to make the payment and the deadline for the same expired on October 14, 2020.

After this, Maran and his firm had moved the high court for attachment of the entire shareholding of Singh in Spicejet and taking over the management for non-payment of Rs 243 crore.

The top court had taken note of Spicejet's appeal and passed the interim order, staying the high court order.

Maran and Kal Airways had moved the high court over the share-transfer dispute, with SpiceJet demanding that 18 crore warrants redeemable as equity shares be transferred to them.

The high court had directed SpiceJet and Singh to deposit Rs 578 crore in the high court's registry.

SpiceJet was permitted to furnish a bank guarantee for Rs 329 crore and make a cash deposit of the remaining sum before the high court.

The top court had, in July 2017, dismissed SpiceJet's appeal against the high court order.

On July 20, 2018, the arbitral tribunal rejected Maran's claim of damages of Rs 1,323 crore for not issuing the warrants to him and Kal Airways but had awarded him a refund of Rs 578 crore plus interest.

Maran, the owner of Sun TV Network, then moved the high court against the arbitration award.

The matter pertained to a dispute arising out of the non-issuance of warrants in favour of Maran after the transfer of ownership to Singh, the controlling shareholder of SpiceJet.

The dispute started after Singh took back control of SpiceJet in February 2015 amid the airline facing a financial crisis.

Maran and Kal Airways had transferred their entire Rs 35.04 crore equity shares in SpiceJet, amounting to a 58.46 per cent stake in the airline, to its co-founder Singh in February 2015 for just Rs 2. PTI SKV SKV SK

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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पटना में होने वाली विपक्षी दलों की बैठक में जरूर भाग लेंगे: कांग्रेस

नई दिल्ली: कांग्रेस बिहार के मुख्यमंत्री नीतीश कुमार द्वारा पटना में 12 जून को बुलाई गई बैठक में जरूर भाग लेगी, लेकिन इसमें पार्टी की तरफ से कौन शामिल होगा, इसका फैसला पार्टी अध्यक्ष मल्लिकार्जुन खरगे और अन्य नेता मिलकर करेंगे.

पार्टी महासचिव जयराम रमेश ने बृहस्पतिवार को यहां संवाददाताओं से कहा, ‘‘12 जून की बैठक में कांग्रेस जरूर भाग लेगी. कांग्रेस की तरफ से कौन जाएगा, इस बारे में जानकारी अभी नहीं दे सकता. इस पर कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष और अन्य नेता चर्चा करेंगे और 12 जून से पहले इसकी जानकारी मिल जाएगी.''

उल्लेखनीय है कि जनता दल (यूनाइटेड) के शीर्ष नेता नीतीश कुमार आगामी लोकसभा चुनाव के मद्देनजर पिछले कुछ महीनों से विपक्षी एकजुटता का प्रयास कर रहे हैं. इस प्रयास के तहत वह कांग्रेस अध्यक्ष खरगे समेत कई विपक्षी नेताओं से मुलाकात कर चुके हैं. नीतीश ने इसी प्रयास के तहत 12 जून को पटना में विपक्षी नेताओं की बैठक बुलाई है.

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WhatsApp Blocked 74.5 Lakh Accounts In India Last Month

Mobile messaging platform WhatsApp took action on about 5 per cent grievances it received in April, the company's India monthly report under IT rules said on Thursday.

WhatsApp blocked 74,52,500 Indian accounts in April out of which 2,469,700 were proactively banned, before any reports from users, said the report.

The company received 4,377 complaints from users in April.

However, it took action on only 234 complaints or about 5 per cent of the total complaints.

The statistics shared by WhatsApp shows that it received 4,100 appeals to ban accounts, out of which it took action only on 223 accounts.

"We respond to all grievances received except in cases where a grievance is deemed to be a duplicate of a previous ticket. An account is 'actioned' when an account is banned or a previously banned account is restored, as a result of a complaint," the report said.

WhatsApp report shows that the Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) issued it two orders and the company complied with both of them.

The GAC looks after complaints from users not satisfied with resolution of complaints by the social media platforms.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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