Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma addressing public gathering in Akhnoor tehsil on Thursday.
Minister for PHE, Sham Lal Sharma addressing public gathering in Akhnoor tehsil on Thursday.
IGP Rajesh Kumar chairing a meeting of officers at Jammu on Thursday.
IGP Rajesh Kumar chairing a meeting of officers at Jammu on Thursday.
Material being handed over by Arvind Bhat, GM to District Social Welfare Officer.
Material being handed over by Arvind Bhat, GM to District Social Welfare Officer.
A scene from the play ‘Cactus’. -Excelsior/Rakesh
A scene from the play ‘Cactus’. -Excelsior/Rakesh
Major General AK Sharma and DC Doda Mubarak Singh during Ex-servicemen Mela at Bhaderwah on Thursday.
Major General AK Sharma and DC Doda Mubarak Singh during Ex-servicemen Mela at Bhaderwah on Thursday.
Major General AK Sharma and DC Doda Mubarak Singh during Ex-servicemen Mela at Bhaderwah on Thursday.
Major General AK Sharma and DC Doda Mubarak Singh during Ex-servicemen Mela at Bhaderwah on Thursday.
Winners of inaugural matches of Wrestling Competition posing alongwith dignitaries in Reasi on Thursday.
Winners of inaugural matches of Wrestling Competition posing alongwith dignitaries in Reasi on Thursday.
Top cyclists being awarded by the dignitaries in Srinagar on Thursday.
Top cyclists being awarded by the dignitaries in Srinagar on Thursday.
‘Country committed to dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits’
NEW DELHI: Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh today extended his good wishes to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on the occasion of Khir Bhawani festival, saying the country was committed to “dignified” return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley.
In a message, Singh urged the people to dedicate themselves to spreading the message of peace, love and brotherhood.
“When over 50,000 displaced Kashmiri Hindus visit the holy shrine on this occasion, the entire nation reaffirms its commitment for their dignified return to the Valley of Kashmir which is incomplete in their absence,” a government statement said quoting the minister.
The festival is also known as ‘Zesht Ashtami’. (AGENCIES)
Jammu & Kashmir Bank plans to exit PNB MetLife Insurance
MUMBAI: Jammu & Kashmir Bank is planning to exit PNB MetLife Insurance by selling its 5 per cent stake in the life insurance joint venture, an official said today.
“Initial talks to fully exit the insurance business by selling the entire 5 per cent stake in PNB MetLife Insurance are on and it may help raise over Rs 500 crore,” the official told PTI.
Bank Chairman and Chief Executive Mushtaq Ahmed had last October said the lender was considering to fully exit the investment. He had hinted the bank would wait for the right pricing to sell out.
Ahmed was not immediately available for comment on the possible stake sale.
PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited (PNB MetLife) is a joint venture between MetLife International Holdings Inc. (MIHI), Punjab National Bank Limited (PNB), Jammu & Kashmir Bank Limited (JKB), M. Pallonji and Company Private Limited and other private investors, with MIHI and PNB being the majority shareholders.
In 2012, the bank had cut its stake to 5 per cent by selling 6 per cent in the insurance venture and raised Rs 190 crore.
State-run Punjab National Bank holds 26 per cent in the venture, while US-based MetLife has 26 per cent stake.
The Srinagar-headquartered lender, held majorly by the state government, acts as a corporate agent selling policies of the life insurer. (AGENCIES)