Sopore, Dec 05: Senior Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (PC) and former minister, Abdul Gani Vakil on Tuesday highlighted the pressing issues faced by the fruit industry in Kashmir.
Addressing the workers from Sopore and Rafiabad, including villages Hathlangoo, Warpora, Sangrama, Janwari, Tujar Sharief, and Seerghat, Vakil highlighted the “neglect” faced by the fruit industry and the “lack of support from the present administration, particularly the Central government”. He said there is an urgent need for intervention to address the challenges faced by the ailing fruit industry.
The PC leader said the government has failed to provide essential technological infrastructure, such as well-equipped cold storage facilities and juice factories, necessary for the growth and development of the fruit industry. He raised objections to the influx of foreign apples, especially from Iran and America, flooding the market and adversely affecting the local market for Kashmiri apples, causing apprehension among apple growers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the challenges faced by fruit growers, including climatic issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and frequent closures of the National Highway, the former minister stressed the need for immediate governmental support. He called for a special economic package to revive the industry and advocated for the waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans, which have become burdensome for fruit growers.
Vakil also expressed concerns about “exorbitant” transportation charges, placing significant strain on fruit growers, and urged the government to address this issue promptly. He appealed to the Central and UT governments to announce an immediate special economic package and prioritize the waiver of KCC loans, essential steps to rejuvenate and uplift the morale of fruit growers facing unprecedented challenges.
Vakil was accompanied by Khizar Mohammad Dar, YJKPC President Rafiabad Tariq Ahmed Khan, Ghulam Hassan War, Fayaz Ahmed Naikoo, Abdul Rashid Mir, and various other Sarpanches and workers.
