Baramulla, July 01: J&K Peoples Conference senior vice president and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil on Saturday criticized the Central government for slashing a 20 percent import duty on Washington apples saying this is bound to impact the fruit growers of the valley.
“Reducing import duty on Washington apples is another jolt to already debt-ridden fruit growers of the valley,” he said in a statement.
Vakil, as per the statement, visited several villages of Rafiabad and Sopore including Chankhan, Faisalabad, Gosiyaabad, Aadipora in Sopore and Behrampora, Yarbugh, Dangiwacha in Rafiabad. During his visit, he interacted with fruit growers of the area who expressed concern with the GoI’s recent decision of slashing import rates by 20% on Washington apples.
The PC leader said the fruit industry once known as the backbone of the economy of the valley has become a “victim of government’s negligence”. He said the decision of slashing import duty on Washington apples is in contrast to the popular demand of hiking the duty on such imports and demanded an immediate rollback.
“The GoI needs to understand the fact that the fruit industry is the mainstay of the valley’s economy which also provides livelihood to lakhs of people directly and indirectly but still the government is not concerned about it,” he added
Vakil urged Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to bring up this crucial issue with the Government of India, noting that fruit growers have suffered significant losses in the last 10 years. “Such decisions won’t help the sector to grow instead a strong recommendation for approval of special economic package, including waiver of KCC loan is need of the hour,” he said.
During his visit, the former minister also visited several families who have lost their loved ones recently and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families. He was accompanied by senior leaders of the party of these areas including Muzaffar Naikoo, Bashir Ahmad Ganai, YJKPC President Sopore Junaid Parvez and others.
