Sopore, Sep 25: J&K Peoples’ Conference (PC) senior vice-president and former minister Abdul GaniVakil Sunday said it is unfortunate from many weeks fruit laden trucks have been stopped on national highway which is causing huge loss to the apple industry and thereby resulting also loss of livelihood of thousands of people who are associated with fruit industry.
In a statement, Vakil demanded that the government must prioritise movement of trucks on the national highway.
According to the statement, a delegation of fruit growers called on Vakil in Sopore and apprised him about the current difficulties they are facing since the import of Iranian apples and increase of tax by the Bangladesh government.
Vakil urged the government of India to take up the issue of increase in taxes with government of Bangladesh so that fruit growers will not suffer more and will have a sigh of relief.
Former minister urged the government of India to bring the apple fruit under Minimum Support Price (MSP) for the larger benefit of the growers who often suffer losses.
Vakil said it is the time to add apple fruit to the list of MSP and the central government must take concrete steps in this regard.
“Fruit growers have been running into losses. There is always uncertainty in the market and imported Iranian apple has further damaged the apple industry of Kashmir. The government must consider MSP for apple crop,” Vakil said, adding, it is the only sustainable solution to save this industry.
Vakil also reiterated his demand that the KCC loan to be waived off as fruit growers are incurring heavy losses and this will be a major relief to the people associated with fruit industry.
