he Jammu and Kashmir government will provide modern storage facilities to farmers at the village level round the year market linkages to strengthen farm economy and motivate the young to join the agri-sector. Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir made the announcement while inaugurating a day long Kissan Mela cum Exhibition in Budgam district . He said such storage facilities would help farmers strengthen their economic conditions and motivate the youth to opt for agriculture as a profit-making activity

 National Conference leaders paid homage to the founder of the party Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah on his 30th death anniversary in Srinagar on Saturday.

His eldest son and Union Minister Farooq Abdullah and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led a group of National Conference Ministers, MLAs and workers in paying floral tributes at the Naseem Bagh mausoleum of 'Sher-e-Kashmir.

Hundreds of National Conference workers had assembled at the mausoleum early in the morning and performed "Quran Khwani.
Omar Abdullah described Sheikh as the architect and founder of educative, progressive and secular democratic society in Jammu and Kashmir based on justice, equality and amity between all regions and all sections of the society.

 Ahead of Foreign Minister S M Krishna's visit to Islambad, Pakistan today said it has taken bold and unprecedented steps to improve ties with India and to resolve all bilateral disputes,
including the key issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said in Islamabad that Pakistan believe's that a better and deeper relationship will eventually lead us to ways and means to resolve all bilateral disputes, including the most important of all, the status of Jammu and Kashmir.

The  The 300-km-long Jammu- Srinagar- National Highway which was closed due to  The 300-km-long Jammu- Srinagar- National Highway which was closed due to landslides, riggered tby heavy rains in Ramban area early Wednesday morning was re-opened for traffic at 12.30 PM. 

Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers which were stranded on the highway, have started moving towards their respective destinations .

Landslides in Ramban area had forced authorities to suspended the traffic in the morning. 

The Border Roads Organization (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the National Highway, had pressed into service sophisticated machines and men and cleared the debris on the highway. 

Meanwhile, incessant rain is creating havoc in Jammu Division with over a dozen houses collapsing in Mendhar and Surankote areas of Poonch district . 

Water level in all the nullahs and rivers has increased and the flash floods have caused damage to crops , houses and several roads in Jammu Division.  by heavy rains in Ramban area early Wednesday morning was re-opened for traffic at 12.30 PM. 

Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers which were stranded on the highway, have started moving towards their respective destinations .

Landslides in Ramban area had forced authorities to suspended the traffic in the morning. 

The Border Roads Organization (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the National Highway, had pressed into service sophisticated machines and men and cleared the debris on the highway. 

Meanwhile, incessant rain is creating havoc in Jammu Division with over a dozen houses collapsing in Mendhar and Surankote areas of Poonch district . 

Water level in all the nullahs and rivers has increased and the flash floods have caused damage to crops , houses and several roads in Jammu Division. -km-long Jammu- Srinagar- National Highway which was closed due to landslides, triggered by heavy rains in Ramban area early Wednesday morning was re-opened for traffic at 12.30 PM. 

Hundreds of vehicles, including those carrying passengers which were stranded on the highway, have started moving towards their respective destinations .

Landslides in Ramban area had forced authorities to suspended the traffic in the morning. 

The Border Roads Organization (BRO), responsible for the maintenance of the National Highway, had pressed into service sophisticated machines and men and cleared the debris on the highway. 

Meanwhile, incessant rain is creating havoc in Jammu Division with over a dozen houses collapsing in Mendhar and Surankote areas of Poonch district . 

Water level in all the nullahs and rivers has increased and the flash floods have caused damage to crops , houses and several roads in Jammu Division.

 The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir and the Secretary, Ministry of Defence over alleged killing of a person in an encounter by the Army. The Commission has sought reports within four weeks on a complaint that one Hilal Ahmed Dar was allegedly killed in an encounter between the Army and terrorists in Bandipora district of the state.

Quoting a media report on the encounter, the Commission observed that the allegations, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the deceased.

n Jammu and Kashmir, the operation to dig open the 280-meter long tunnel, which was discovered yesterday along the Indo-Pak Border in Samba district, is in full swing. A team of senior officials from New Delhi will be visiting the spot soon. BSF troops are using more dozers and men to find out the origin of the tunnel towards the Indo-Pak border.

External Affairs Minister, S M Krishna has said that he is looking forward to his impending visit to Pakistan to carry forward on going dialogue process aimed at seeking friendly and cooperative relationship with the neighbouring country.

Addressing a Function at Shere Kashmir Convention Centre in Srinagar today after inaugurating Passport Seva Kendra and laying of foundation stone of new Passport Bhawan he said that relations between the two countries have gradually improved during last one year and fruitful exchanges at different levell have continued. 

Mr Krishna said that during the visit of Pak Foreign Minister Hena Rubani Khar she had publicly said that there was a realisation in Pakistan to have change in its attitude with regard to relations with India. The Foreign Minister said that India and Pakistan have gained nothing in past by engaging in acrimony while as they have to gain every thing if they understand each other and cooperate for betterment of their people.

Earlier speaking on the occasion the State Chief Minster Omer Abdulla and Union Minster Dr Farooq Abdulla while thanking External Affairs Minister for opening Passport Seva Kendras in Jammu and Srinagar. stressed the need for strengthening cross loc trade in the state and changing present barter system into financial exchanges. 

Mr Omer Abdulla while wishing success to Foreign Minister in his forth coming Pakistani visit said that relationship between India and Pakistan has a direct bearing on the situation in the state and people in Jammu and Kashmir are longing for permanent peace and friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

The Defence Minister will be visiting Jammu and Kashmir tomorrow to review the security situation in the forward areas. He will also chair a meeting of Unified Headquarters in Srinagar and meet Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Interacting with reporters after the function to pay homage to the martyrs of defence forces on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas in New Delhi this morning, Mr.A.K.Antony said that during his two day visit beginning tomorrow, he will meet jawans and officers and see the situation in the forward areas. He will be accompanied by the Army Chief and Defence Secretary Shashikant Sharma.

In reply to a query on demands by the armed forces for a War Memorial in the national capital, Defence Minister said, things are progressing in a comfortable manner on the issue.

n Jammu and Kashmir, over five million pilgrims from across the Country have visited to the famous Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi in Reasi district of Jammu division in the first six months of this year. According to an official of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), about 5.17 million pilgrims visited the Shrine up to June this year as against 4.72 million during the corresponding period in 2011. Official claimed that board has taken several initiatives to meet the needs of the ever increasing pilgrimage.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Birth Anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain was celebrated on Saturday in Kargil with full religious zeal and fervor. Two programmes were organized by Youth Wing Islamia School and Imam Khomeni Memorial Trust at Jamia Masjid. Programmes were also organized at Saliskote, Sankoo, Drass, Chiktan, Suru and Zanskar.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Poonch-Rawlakote Bus service, has been suspended this week. The suspension came after the Pakistani Government refused to open the cross LoC gate.

AIR Poonch Correspondent reports that Pak authorities also refused to open the gate today for the weekly Poonch-Rawlakote Bus service, alleging that Indian Troops have resorted to heavy firing on their villages causing damage to their property.

For the first time a 3-day Ladakh International Film Festival began in Leh today. It was inaugurated by the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Our Leh correspondent reports that other prominent presonalities were present at the inaugural
Our correspondent reports that during the 3-day Ladakh Internation Film Festival, as many as 66 films of all categories from all over the world would be screened, which include films in foreign languages, Hindi and Ladakhi films.

For the first time Ladkhi films are included in this mega event, which has tremendously encouraged the local film makers. 

The Sindhu Sanskriti Kala Kendra, which is the main venue of LIFF also inaugurated by the CM Omar Abdullah. This Auditorium which is fully installed with latest world class equipments meeting international standard. 

Many Internationally renowned film personalities including Bollywood personalities like Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalani, Vishal Bhardwaj and the leading actress of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Kalki also present on this great event.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, is visiting Chandanwari and Nunwan base camps of Shri Amarnath Yatra today to review the snow clearance work on the two yatra tracks. 

He is later scheduled to chair a high level meeting of Divisional and district Administration to review the latest preparations being made for the timely commencement of the Yatra. The Annual Pilgrimage is scheduled to start on June 25 and will culminate on August 2, 2012, the day of Rakshabandhan.

While Government and Amarnath Shrine Board are making all out efforts and are working day and night to ensure that the yatra starts on time, the weather is hindering the snow clearance work. Since the track is having almost 18 feet snow at many places, the Shrine Board has deployed sufficient number of labour and machinery to clear the tracks. 

Special Secretary of the Union Home Ministry, Mr. Ashok Chadda also reviewed the Yatra arrangements at Pahalgam and Srinagar last week and had stressed on close coordination among different departments for a successful Yatra.

IIn yet another incident of ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops fired at Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday. According to defence Spokesman, Pakistani troops resorted to small arms firing on Kripan-I, Kripan-II and Kranti posts along LoC in the district at around 12:00 hours on Monday from their Dakoo and Chuha posts. After exercising restraint for some time, the Indian troops retaliated .

The exchange of fire continued for half an hour in which one BSF jawan, identified as P K Mishra, received gunshot wounds. He was referred to  Poonch distric nt.

This is the 11th ceasefire violation by Pakistan this year. Earlier on May 22 night, Pakistani troops had targeted Indian posts along the Indo-Pak border in Poonch district.

In Jammu and Kashmir, the Minister of State for Home, Tourism and Urban Development Nasir Aslam Wani inaugurated the 2nd Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Cricket Tournament in Kargil.

Around 100 teams from all over Kargil District are participating in this tournament organized by District Police Kargil under its Civic Action Programme.

In Jammu and Kashmir, remarkable achievement has been registered on development front during last 3 years with State government taking all possible steps to make it a model state of the country.

Focused attention is being paid to upgrade infrastructure under core sectors for the benefit of common masses especially living in remote and far flung areas of the State.

The Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to ensure all round development of the State and is eager to bridge the gap in terms of development and progress in rural and urban areas.

s, focused attention of the Government is to improve all the basic amenities.

Centre's interlocutors on Jammu and Kashmir have favoured setting up a Constitutional Committee to review all Central Acts and Articles of the Constitution of India to the state extended after 1952.The report of the interlocutors Dileep Padgaonkar, Radha Kumar and M M Ansari, which was made public today, ruled out a return to the pre-1953 position.

The report, which was handed over to Home Minister P. Chidambaram on October 12 last year, also favoured resumption of the dialogue process between the Centre and Hurriyat Conference at the earliest.On Centre -state relation, the report calls for review of all Central Acts and Articles of the Constitution of India extended to the state after 1952 Delhi agreement.

The report also says that no more central laws and Articles of the Constitution should be extended to the state by Presidential order.It also suggested that Parliament will make no laws applicable to the state unless it relates country's internal and external security and its vital economic interests, especially in the areas of energy and access to water resources.
It also said the state assembly will submit three names to the President to the post of Governor who will be appointed by the President.It also suggested that there should be no change in Article 356 and if the state government is dismissed, elections should be held within three months.

The report recommended that for promotion of the state's economic self-reliance, a fresh financial agreement between the Centre and the state is required.The report also listed several recommendations to
harmonise relations between people on both the sides of Line of Control including a hassle-free movement of people and goods across the LoC and a consultative mechanism where elected representatives from both sides can deliberate on issues of common interests like water, economy, tourism and trade.

n Jammu and Kashmir, the rival factions of the Pradesh Congress Committee put up a united show with senior leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad and Saif-ud-din Soz appearing together in public in Srinagar yesterday for the first time in three years. AICC General Secretary Janardhan Dwivedi said, there was no doubt that factionalism in the PCC has come to an end. All three leaders jointly addressed a press conference after the delegate session of JKPCC, the first such meeting since 2008 Assembly elections.

Mr. Soz said, the delegate session has passed a resolution unanimously requesting AICC President Sonia Gandhi to appoint new office bearers for JKPCC, including its president.

Mr. Mukherjee lauded the people for showing strong will-power which has strengthened democracy. He said, strong will-power, fearlessness and determination of the people of India has made it a strong nation. Mr. Mukherjee said, the people of Jammu and Kashmir participated in election in spite of terrorism in the state.