The ski resort, which received fresh snowfall on Sunday afternoon, continued to draw snow enthusiasts as conditions improved for skiing.

A brief spell of light snowfall was also witnessed at Sonamarg at around 9 pm, but it didn’t accumulate. Temperatures across the region remained below freezing, highlighting the intensity of the ongoing cold spell.

While night temperatures tumbled to minus 8.8 degrees Celsius in Gulmarg, followed by Shopian at minus 5.6 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam at minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius.

Budgam dipped to minus 3.5 degrees Celsius and Awantipora to minus 3.2 degrees Celsius.

Pulwama recorded a minimum of minus 4.2 degrees Celsius, Anantnag minus 3.2 degrees Celsius, and Pampore minus 2.5 degrees Celsius, while north Kashmir areas Kupwara and Baramulla recorded minus 1.8 degrees Celsius and minus 0.7 degrees Celsius.

Stakeholders said snow-related activities in Gulmarg have resumed following recent snowfall.

Director of the Gulmarg Adventure Academy, Azhar Fayaz Lone, said snow biking, ATV rides and snow sledge rides had become functional after fresh snowfall in the resort.

“Basic ski and snowboard courses have also been launched,” he said.

Lone said that the Kangdoori area received about 1.5 feet of snow on Monday.

“The snowfall has led to a rise in tourist arrivals, with a steady rush of visitors since Christmas,” he said.

According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) officials, conditions on Tuesday are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with chances of light snow at isolated higher elevations in north and central Kashmir.

From January 7 to January 15, the weather is likely to be partly cloudy, with no major weather system forecast during the period, allowing tourist and outdoor activities to continue, the officials said.

The prolonged cold has pushed up demand for heating and electricity across the Valley, while officials said the sub-zero temperatures were also helping sustain snow cover at tourist destinations and higher reaches.

M M Parvaiz reports from Ramban

The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway (NH-44) remained open for two-way traffic on Monday.

Traffic authorities said that, subject to fair weather and satisfactory road conditions, Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs) and heavy vehicles would continue to be allowed from both directions on Tuesday.

Officials said that LMVs and heavy vehicles were permitted to move throughout the day in both directions.

However, traffic movement remained slow at several locations due to single-lane stretches and vehicle breakdowns.

Traffic congestion was reported at Balinalla, Dewal, Nashri-Dalwas, and along the Marog-Kishtwari Pather stretch.

Engineers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) said that road repair and construction work is underway at several locations between Udhampur-Ramban and Ramban-Banihal sectors.

Authorities have advised travellers to check the latest traffic updates from Traffic Control Units (TCUs) at Srinagar, Ramban, and Jammu, and follow official advisories issued through the social media platforms of the J&K Traffic Police before commencing their journey.

Passengers were urged to prefer daytime travel and avoid night journeys, especially on vulnerable stretches of the highway.

Officials cautioned that the movement of heavy vehicles between the Nashri and Navyug tunnels during night hours could cause inconvenience and lead to further congestion.

Drivers were also advised to maintain lane discipline, as overtaking and wrong-lane driving could trigger traffic jams and pose serious safety risks.

Meanwhile, the Kishtwar-Sinthan Top-Anantnag National Highway remained closed due to the accumulation of snow along the route.

Authorities said that restoration work would begin once weather conditions improve in the area.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), National Highway, Ramban, Raja Adil Hamid told Greater Kashmir that Dense Bitumen Macadam (DBM) work and traffic regulation were being carried out simultaneously at Digdool.

Sumit Bhargav reports from Rajouri

The Mughal Road was once again closed for traffic just a day after it was restored for the movement of vehicles.

Earlier, the road connecting Rajouri and Poonch districts of Pir Panjal region with Shopian district of Kashmir got closed for traffic on Thursday and was restored on Sunday morning, with authorities notifying a time slot of 4 hours for the movement of vehicles.

However, on Monday afternoon, the road again got closed.

SSP Traffic, Jammu Rural, Farooq Qaiser said that in view of fresh snowfall at Pir Ki Gali, all kinds of traffic on the Mughal Road are hereby stopped with immediate effect.

“The restriction will remain in force till further notice,” he said.

The post Chillai Kalan tightens grip on Kashmir appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The Union Power Minister, who was on a two-day visit to J&K for inspection of power projects in Reasi, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, stated this while responding to media queries in Kishtwar about Pakistan’s objections to different hydro-electric projects in J&K.

“The Prime Minister has already given a clear message to Pakistan that the Indus Water Treaty has been kept in abeyance and now its objections will not be acknowledged. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the water of the Chenab and other rivers will be used to serve the interests of our country as much as possible. We don’t have any other concern (vis-à-vis Pakistan’s objections),” Khattar said.

In the same breath, he said, “Whether it is related to power generation or use of water for irrigation or other purposes, for us, the interests of our country, its people, and the farmers will reign supreme, and we will give precedence to that, as per our requirements.”

Regarding the Ratle power project controversy that “some anti-national people” were employed there, the Union Power Minister said that he had not received any complaint in writing so far on that account. “We will take cognisance if we get it (complaint in writing),” he stated.

With regard to power projects in J&K, Khattar asserted that the issues plaguing all the projects were resolved, and they (projects) were progressing smoothly.

Stating that it was the first visit by the Union Power Minister after putting the IWT in abeyance, he said that work on Ratle, Salal, and Sawalkote projects was being brought on track.

“Directions have been issued to complete them in time. Their completion will benefit J&K and the entire country with the addition to the power generation,” the Union Power Minister said.

Meanwhile, following inspection of three projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) Limited, Khattar also issued directions to commission the Pakal Dul and Kiru projects by December 2026 and the Kwar project by March 2028.

Earlier today, he inspected three projects of Chenab Valley Power Projects (CVPP) Limited, namely Pakal Dul (1000 MW), Kiru (624 MW), and Kwar (540 MW). He also held a review meeting with the project heads and contractors.

The CMD, NHPC, briefed Khattar in detail on various aspects of the three under-construction projects.

The Union Minister also interacted with local residents and workers at various work sites and patiently listened to their issues. After reviewing all the works, the Minister appreciated the personnel and workers for working under challenging conditions and wished them well.

Khattar, who concluded his two-day visit to J&K on Monday, January 5, 2026, had reviewed the Salal, Sawalkot, and Ratle projects on Sunday.

Late Sunday evening, the Minister also inspected NHPC’s Dulhasti Power Station at Kishtwar.

At Dulhasti Power Station, he was received by Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director (Projects), and Ramesh Mukhiya, Managing Director, CVPP, and other officials of NHPC and CVPP.

The post IWT in Abeyance: Pakistan already given message by PM: Union Power Minister Manohar Lal appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The PMDP, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 7, 2015, was conceived as a comprehensive reconstruction and development plan for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with an overall financial outlay of Rs 80,068 crore.

The package was structured around five pillars – humanitarian relief, crisis management, social infrastructure, development projects and economic infrastructure – aimed at addressing long-standing developmental gaps and post-crisis needs.

Originally comprising 63 projects, the PMDP was rationalised after the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh in August 2019.

As a result, 53 projects remained applicable to J&K.

According to official data up to November 2025 accessed by Greater Kashmir, 29 projects have been fully completed, including nine implemented by the Government of India and 20 by the J&K government.

In addition, 14 projects – four central and 10 UT-level – have been declared substantially completed.

Together, this places 43 out of 53 projects, or 81.13 percent, in the completed or near-completion category.

“Financial progress under the PMDP has also been described as robust. Of the Rs 56,946.58 crore released so far for the 53 projects, an amount of Rs 54,986.17 crore has been spent, translating into a utilisation rate of 96.56 percent of the released funds. The overall expenditure stands at nearly 80 percent of the total sanctioned cost,” the data reveals.

A senior official from the Planning Department said that sustained monitoring and coordination had played a key role in maintaining momentum despite multiple challenges.

“Large infrastructure projects inevitably faced hurdles such as land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting of utilities and ongoing legal proceedings. These issues initially slowed execution, but focused intervention and inter-departmental coordination helped clear most bottlenecks,” the official said.

As per the Planning Department’s summary, central sector projects under the PMDP had an original outlay of Rs 26,971 crore, while state projects accounted for Rs 31,513.63 crore. Subsequent revisions, particularly in major road and infrastructure works, pushed the combined sanctioned cost to Rs 68,905.39 crore.

Expenditure against sanctioned cost has reached 83.73 percent for central projects and 73.70 percent for UT projects.

Officials said utilisation against funds released is close to full for central projects at 99.74 percent, while J&K projects have recorded over 91 percent utilisation, reflecting improved execution capacity and financial discipline.

With most projects either completed or nearing completion, the Planning Department said the focus has now shifted to expediting the remaining works and ensuring that the intended economic and social benefits of the PMDP are fully realised across J&K.

The post Over 81% PMDP projects completed in J&K appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Prices swung wildly after the “egg scare”, but deregulation now shields sellers, not buyers.

Over the past month, since egg-scare caught Kashmir following the ‘Eggoz’ brand egg controversy, prices have undergone a roller coaster of change.

Back on Kashmiri plates, eggs have become at least 20 percent costlier in just a month, and there is no way consumers can complain about it, thanks to the deregulation of commodity prices in 2023.

All poultry eggs, irrespective of variety and quantity, used to cost at least 30 percent cheaper just a month ago.

When an egg brand ‘Eggoz’ hit the headlines for alleged contaminations and health concerns, consumers in Kashmir went into a frenzy.

Egg trays were returned to local stores, while many discarded their egg trays in panic.

Prices dropped drastically, a tray selling for Rs 100 in some areas.

However, soon after, when it was reiterated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) that eggs continue to remain safe, consumers turned to their eggs again as a source of affordable protein in their diets.

Soon, the cost of eggs surged dramatically.

Individual eggs are selling for Rs 8 to Rs 11 per piece.

There has been a 25 to 40 percent increase in some areas.

Kashmir consumers expect the government to intervene and control the prices of eggs.

Joint Controller, Legal Metrology, Kashmir, Tanveer Ahmad, when asked why the prices of eggs cannot be regulated by the administration, said that as per an SO issued in 2023, prices of essential commodities like meat, meat products, fish, fish products, milk, milk products, poultry, and eggs have been decontrolled.

“There is a clear-cut order that no authority will fix the price of any essential commodity. Therefore, the prices of eggs are not under our control,” he said.

He was referring to SO 300 issued by the J&K government on June 1, 2023.

Currently, a box of eggs with seven egg trays costs anywhere between Rs 1500 and Rs 1700.

An egg tray, with 30 eggs, the regular farm white egg variety, can cost Rs 200 to Rs 280.

The organic eggs cost Rs 200 to Rs 300 per dozen.

The egg prices also vary by the area in which they are sold.

Eggs cost cheaper in old parts of the city, in market hubs like Maharaj Bazaar, Safa Kadal, and Batamaloo, compared to Rawalpora, Nishat, and other areas.

In villages, prices vary by distance from town, customarily increasing as the distance increases. In Jammu, an egg tray costs anywhere between Rs 190 and Rs 250.

Over the past week, egg prices have seen a downward trend in Jammu, while the Kashmir division is recording a spike.

A consumer, Danish Ahmad, told Greater Kashmir that he buys eggs in bulk for the family, as his parents have been advised a high-protein diet, while he himself is also a gym trainer.

“Compared to last year, I have to pay Rs 200 extra per box now. Why is no one checking the market?” he said.

Many critics point to a lack of market regulation in winters in Kashmir, as well as disruption in the supply of eggs due to highway impediments.

Why Govt can’t fix egg, meat, poultry prices

In June 2023, the J&K government issued a notification (S O 300, dated June 1, 2023) that revoked the J&K Mutton (Licensing and Control) Order, 1973, that had been issued vide SRO-646 dated December 19, 1973.

This order was prompted by a clarification from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Government of India). The clarification declared that the foundational notification S O 145(E) dated February 15, 1990, which gave price regulation powers to J&K, was no longer valid.

It directed all relevant authorities, including the Directorates of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs J&K to refrain from issuing or enforcing any price notifications or controls on livestock products.

This effectively deregulated prices for key livestock essentials such as mutton, poultry, and eggs.

Without the legal authority, there is no framework to fix maximum retail prices or penalise overcharging.

It is impossible for the government or consumer protection bodies to cap escalating costs. The prices are determined solely by market forces of supply, demand, transportation costs, seasonal factors, and trader discretion.

The post Market panic scrambles egg prices, consumers shell-shocked appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

“In our time, winter did not begin until Hoggard was ready,” says 68-year-old Ghulam Hassan of Bandipora, pointing to an empty courtyard where rows of fish once hung. “The smell would spread through the mohalla. No one complained. It meant we were prepared.”

Hoggard, derived from Hokh (dry) and Gadda (fish), evolved as a survival strategy in a land where winter snowfall once sealed off villages for months. With roads blocked and fresh food scarce, families depended on preserved foods—dried fish, turnips and vegetables—to get through the cold season.

“People talk about Wazwan and grand feasts,” Hassan says, smiling faintly. “But it was food like Hoggard that kept poor families alive.”

The preparation of Hoggard begins months before winter. Fishermen from the Hanji community catch snow trout and other local fish during late summer and autumn. The fish are cleaned, lightly roasted, wrapped in cloth and hung under the sun to dry gradually.

“It takes patience,” says Fatima Begum, 56, who has been preparing dried fish since her teenage years. “You must know when the sun is right, when moisture is low. One mistake and the fish spoils.”

She adds that women traditionally handled much of the drying and storage. “Our mothers taught us by showing, not by explaining. Now there is no one to teach.”

When winter sets in, the dried fish are soaked, washed and cooked in mustard oil with garlic, tomatoes, red chilli and fennel. The dish—*Hoch Gaade*—is unmistakable in smell and taste.

But that powerful aroma no longer finds favour with many young Kashmiris.

“My children don’t like it at all,” Fatima says. “My daughter tells me, ‘Don’t cook it when I come from Srinagar. The smell stays in the house.’ It hurts, but what can we do?”

The generational divide is stark. Younger people, accustomed to year-round vegetables, chicken and fast food, find preserved fish overwhelming. “They want pizza and noodles,” Hassan says. “This food belongs to another time for them.”

Improved connectivity has also reduced the need for preservation. Trucks carrying fresh produce now reach even remote villages in winter. “Earlier, we had no choice,” says resident Abdul Rashid. “Now, why struggle with drying fish when vegetables are available?”

For fishing communities, however, the decline of Hoggard is not just about taste—it is about identity.

“This is who we are,” says Mohammad Ashraf, a fisherman whose family has lived off Wular Lake for generations. “When Hoggard disappears, our connection to the lake weakens.”

Ashraf says environmental degradation has made the practice increasingly difficult. “Earlier, our boats returned full. Now, sometimes we come back with almost nothing. Pollution, silt, weeds—the lake is dying.”

According to fishermen, dwindling catches mean there is barely enough fish for daily meals, let alone drying for winter. “How can we make Hoggard when there is no fish?” Ashraf asks.

Many fishermen have already left the trade. “Some work as labourers, some drive autos,” he says. “When fishing goes, the tradition goes with it.”

Observers warn that Hoggard may vanish quietly, without notice. “This is not restaurant food, so no one markets it,” says a Srinagar-based food researcher. “But it tells us how Kashmiris survived winter before electricity, before highways.”

She adds that preserving such traditions is as important as saving monuments. “Once this knowledge is gone, it cannot be revived from books.”

Despite the decline, a few households still prepare Hoggard every winter, holding on to habit and memory. For them, the smell carries comfort.

The post The Fading Aroma of Winter: Kashmir’s sun-dried fish tradition struggles to survive appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The exhibition, titled “The Light & the Lotus: Relics of the Awakened One” was recently inaugurated by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, showcasing priceless relics that have returned to India after more than a century, marking a historic moment for the nation and the global Buddhist community.

During his visit, the Lieutenant Governor, as per an official statement, paid reverence to the sacred relics and described their return to India as a matter of deep civilizational pride and spiritual significance. He said that the relics of Bhagwan Buddha are not merely historical artefacts, but living symbols of India’s timeless values of peace, compassion, and harmony, which continue to guide humanity even today.

Kavinder Gupta noted that the exhibition at the historic Qila Rai Pithora complex adds a profound spiritual chapter to a site already rich in India’s heritage. He said the presence of the sacred relics at this ancient location reflects the continuity of India’s civilisation, where history and spirituality come together to inspire present and future generations.

The Lieutenant Governor lauded the efforts of the Government of India in ensuring that the sacred relics, which were taken away during the colonial period, have returned to their rightful home. He said this step has restored an important part of India’s cultural and spiritual legacy and reaffirmed the country’s role as the custodian of Lord Buddha’s heritage.

Highlighting the global reverence for Bhagwan Buddha, Kavinder Gupta said that wherever the sacred relics have travelled across the world in recent months, they have evoked immense faith and devotion among millions of people, cutting across nationalities and cultures. He remarked that this universal appeal underlines the fact that Lord Buddha belongs to all humanity and continues to connect people through shared values of peace and coexistence.

The Lieutenant Governor specifically emphasised the deep spiritual bond between Ladakh and the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha. He said Ladakh, often referred to as the “Land of High Passes” and a stronghold of Buddhist culture, has preserved and practised the Buddha’s teachings for centuries through its monasteries, traditions, and way of life.

In this context, Kavinder Gupta stated that the UT Administration of Ladakh has taken up the matter with the Union Ministry of Culture to bring the sacred Buddha relics to Ladakh as well.

“We have taken up the matter with the Union Ministry of Culture to bring the sacred Buddha relics to Ladakh, and we are hopeful that this effort will bear fruit. The presence of these relics in Ladakh, even for a limited period, will be a moment of great spiritual significance for the people of the region and for devotees from across the Himalayas,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

He expressed hope that the sacred relics, if brought to Ladakh, would further strengthen the region’s role as a centre of Buddhist learning and spirituality, promote spiritual tourism, and provide devotees with an opportunity to receive the blessings of Bhagwan Buddha in the serene Himalayan landscape.

The Lieutenant Governor urged people, especially youth, to visit the exhibition and connect with the teachings of Bhagwan Buddha, which remain highly relevant in today’s world. He said the exhibition serves as a powerful bridge between India’s glorious past and its aspirations for a future rooted in peace, harmony, and mutual respect.

The post Return of sacred Buddha relics a historic moment: LG Ladakh appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The order was issued by the District Magistrate (DM) Srinagar under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and comes as part of a broader enforcement drive initiated by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to curb the alleged misuse of encrypted digital platforms.

According to the order, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar had submitted a report flagging serious apprehensions about the misuse of VPN services by “vested interests”, warning that such activities could have adverse implications for public order, cyber security and overall law and order in the district.

The administration noted that VPN services, which transmit encrypted data through point-to-point tunnels, allow users to conceal their IP addresses and bypass website restrictions, firewalls and monitoring mechanisms. While these features are commonly used worldwide for privacy and data protection, the order said they also carry the potential for exploitation for unlawful and anti-national activities.

“These platforms can be misused for incitement of unrest, dissemination of inflammatory content and coordination of activities prejudicial to the maintenance of public order,” the DM said adding that unrestricted VPN usage poses “serious risks to public safety, cyber security and the protection of sensitive data”.

Citing the need for immediate preventive action in the larger public interest, the District Magistrate ordered the suspension of all VPN services with immediate effect.

However, the order clarified that the ban will not apply to authorised VPN usage by government departments, particularly those operating through the National Informatics Centre (NIC).

As serving individual notices to all concerned persons was considered impractical, the order was issued ex parte. The administration has directed that it be given wide publicity through the district website, leading newspapers and by affixing copies on notice boards of the offices of the District Magistrate, SSP Srinagar, Sub-Divisional Magistrates of Srinagar East and West, and all tehsildars.

The SSP Srinagar has been instructed to ensure strict implementation of the order in letter and spirit, officials said.

The Srinagar order comes amid an intensified crackdown on VPN usage across Kashmir. Over the past week, district administrations in Budgam, Baramulla, Sopore, Shopian and Kulgam have issued similar prohibitory orders banning unauthorised VPN services for two months.

Police have launched verification and monitoring drives across multiple districts, identifying dozens of individuals allegedly using VPN services in violation of the orders. In some cases, FIRs have been registered, while others have faced preventive action under the BNSS after background and technical scrutiny.

Authorities have argued that VPNs are increasingly being misused to bypass online restrictions imposed during security operations, including blocks on certain websites, social media accounts, and digital platforms linked to misinformation or propaganda.

The post Amid security concerns, VPN suspended in Srinagar for 2 months appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

He was addressing a press conference organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), Jammu, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) on the Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform in accelerating infrastructure development in J&K.

Will the move to keep IWT in abeyance help fast-track the J&K power projects like Kishanganga and Pakal Dul, enabling their timely completion to prevent them from becoming non-viable as happened in the case of previous projects, keeping in view the fact that in the past, whether it was Kishanganga or Pakal Dul hydro-electric project (HEP) – both part of the PRAGATI portal, there had been several objections raised from time to time?

Responding to this query, Dulloo said, “Obviously, there are no restrictions. In fact, all those restrictions have now gone with the Indus Water Treaty having been kept in abeyance. So, it is expected, certainly, that the pace of execution of these projects will further improve.”

India had decided to place the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan in abeyance, following the Pahalgam terror attack in April, 2025, until Pakistan stopped supporting cross-border terrorism.

When asked if the PRAGATI mechanism was also focusing on youth engagement and promoting entrepreneurship to make them partners in progress, the Chief Secretary said that the development projects could not be implemented without the involvement of the youth.

“In any sector, the development projects create jobs. Imagine how many jobs would have been created during the execution of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project…how many engineers, workmen, labour would have worked. Many spent more than thirty years of their life while executing this project. Ditto is about highway projects or the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. Many youth are getting opportunities to work in the execution of these projects – in different capacities,” Dulloo maintained.

The post Kishanganga, Pakal Dul HEPs : All restrictions gone with Indus Water Treaty in abeyance: Atal Dulloo appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

Growers from Bhaderwah in Doda district—where nearly 4,000 farmers have shifted from traditional maize cultivation to lavender—said the influx of cheaper imported lavender oil has severely impacted domestic prices, eroding incomes and discouraging new cultivation.

“Lavender changed our lives initially. It required less water, gave better returns than maize and opened new market opportunities,” said a group of farmers from Bhaderwah. “But unchecked imports have crashed prices, and many of us are now struggling to even recover our costs.”

The Purple Revolution, promoted under national mission programmes, positioned lavender as a game-changer for hill agriculture in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the temperate belt of Bhaderwah. Farmers say the crop helped diversify agriculture, reduced dependence on low-value cereals and generated rural employment, especially for women.

However, growers allege that imported lavender oil and raw material, mainly from overseas markets, are entering India at low tariffs, undercutting locally produced oil. “We are competing with countries where production costs are much lower. Without tariff protection, Indian farmers cannot survive,” said a lavender distiller from the region.

Farmers have demanded a rational increase in import duty on lavender oil and related products to ensure a level playing field. They also sought assured procurement, minimum support mechanisms and expansion of domestic value chains to stabilise prices.

“Our request for Budget 2026 is simple—protect Indian lavender,” said another grower. “If policy support is withdrawn now, farmers will be forced to abandon the crop and return to maize, undoing years of progress.”

Agricultural experts warn that neglecting lavender farmers could weaken confidence in alternative cropping models promoted in ecologically sensitive regions. “Policy consistency is crucial. Farmers took risks based on government assurances. Sudden market shocks can push them back into subsistence farming,” an expert said.

The growers have also sought increased support for processing units, branding of Bhaderwah lavender and export facilitation to strengthen domestic competitiveness.

As Union Budget 2026-27 approaches, lavender farmers say timely intervention is essential to sustain the Purple Revolution in Jammu and Kashmir and protect livelihoods built around the aromatic crop.

The post Purple Revolution farmers seek protection, demand higher import duty on Lavender appeared first on Greater Kashmir.

The commissioning ceremony was held in Goa. With over 60 per cent indigenous content, Samudra Pratap is India’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel and the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard fleet so far.

The induction of the vessel is expected to significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s capabilities in pollution response, fire-fighting, maritime safety, environmental protection, and long-range surveillance across India’s maritime zones. Describing the ship as a symbol of India’s mature defence industrial ecosystem, Rajnath Singh said efforts are underway to raise indigenous content in warships to 90 per cent. He noted that although designed primarily for pollution control, the multi-role platform would also strengthen coastal patrols and maritime security due to its integrated capabilities.

The Defence Minister praised the Coast Guard’s multidimensional role, ranging from marine pollution response and search-and-rescue operations to maritime law enforcement. He said the force’s growing strength sends a clear message to adversaries against any misadventure along India’s maritime borders. Equipped with advanced pollution detection systems, dedicated response boats, modern fire-fighting equipment and a helicopter hangar, Samudra Pratap is designed to operate effectively even in rough sea conditions. Rajnath Singh said the vessel would help prevent damage to fragile marine ecosystems such as coral reefs, mangroves and fisheries, while supporting the sustainability of coastal communities and the blue economy. Calling marine environmental protection both a strategic necessity and a moral responsibility, the Defence Minister said the commissioning of Samudra Pratap aligns with India’s broader maritime vision of peace, stability and environmental responsibility in the Indo-Pacific region. He added that India has consistently demonstrated its role as a responsible maritime power amid global maritime uncertainty.mRajnath Singh reiterated the government’s commitment to modernising the Coast Guard, emphasising the need for it to evolve into a proactive, intelligence-driven and integration-centric force. He also highlighted the importance of developing specialised career streams in areas such as maritime law enforcement, environmental protection and maritime cyber security. In a first for the Coast Guard, Samudra Pratap will have two women officers on board. Applauding the move towards a more inclusive and gender-neutral force, the Defence Minister said women officers are increasingly serving in frontline operational roles across the ICG.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani, and senior officials from the Centre and the state attended the ceremony. Samudra Pratap, meaning “Majesty of the Seas”, has a displacement of 4,170 tonnes, a length of 114.5 metres and a top speed exceeding 22 knots. The vessel will be based at Kochi under the operational control of the Coast Guard Region (West).

The post Rajnath Singh commissions India’s first indigenous pollution control vessel appeared first on Greater Kashmir.