Sopore, Aug 13: Peoples’ Conference (PC) senior vice-president and former minister Abdul GaniVakil Saturday said fruit growers in Kashmir are facing acute hardships as the administration had side-lined their demands and that the fruit industry in Kashmir is on the verge of a collapse.
A statement from the party said that many promises made to fruit growers by successive governments to promote said industry but nothing has been done.
“Although after the abrogation of Article 370, the Government of India made big promises that apple industry in Kashmir will be boosted through special packages but it has remained restricted to statements only,” Vakil was addressing prominent workers meeting at Janwari and seer Jageer in Apple town Sopore.
Fruit industry has already been badly hit due to COVID-19, unrest, weather vagaries and the illegal import of Iranian apples but nothing is being done for upliftment of this vital industry.
This industry is providing livelihood to thousands of the people, if the government fails to address this industry, thousands of people will be deprived of their livelihood, Vakil added.
While addressing the gathering Vakil appealed to the Government of India and especially Prime Minister NarendraModi to take special steps in reviving the fruit industry by granting a comprehensive economic package to fruit growers including waiving off KCC Loan which is need of hour so that fruit growers can take sigh of relief.
