High attendance in govt offices in Kashmir, apple sales up

New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) Attendance of government employees in offices in the Kashmir valley has begun to record high percentages nearly 40 days after the government withdrew special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

As per a daily status report released on Monday, apple sales have also picked up despite threats issued against trading by militants.

As per the report which is a law and order appraisal of 10 districts of Kashmir division, attendance in government offices in Bandipora was 100 per cent followed by Pulwama at 98.5 per cent and Kupwara at 98 per cent. The lowest attendance (78 per cent) in government offices was recorded in Shopian district.

Law and order is gradually limping back to normal in Jammu and Kashmir after unprecedented security enhancements in the valley that had been put in place in the run-up to abrogation of Article 370 on August 5.

Landline connectivity to most districts in the valley had already been restored earlier this month.

Despite threats issued by terrorists against trading, shops are totally closed only in the districts of Pulwama and Kulgam. In other districts, trading has resumed either partially or fully with shops remaining open for fixed hours daily.

The report says private transport is either fully or partially plying in most of the districts.

The central government has promised to lift all apple produce from the valley this harvesting season with 'attractive prices' through the NAFED. The report says 152 apple growers have registered for sale of apples in Anantnag where 1,635.5 kgs of the fruit have already been sold to NAFED. In Srinagar and Baramulla districts, 36 and 26 apple growers, respectively, have registered to sell their produce to NAFED.

Attendance of students in schools in the valley however continues to be low.