Srinagar, Mar 03: Senior Vice President J&K Peoples Conference and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil on Sunday expressed concern and anguish over what he termed as step-motherly treatment of the Central government and the LG administration towards the fruit industry of Kashmir Valley.
He said the present dispensation has ignored the fruit industry in Kashmir as no incentives are being given to promote it. “Although the fruit industry is the backbone of the economy of J&K, unfortunately, the UT administration and the Central government have turned a deaf ear to the genuine demands of fruit growers,” he said while addressing the party workers convention in Tujar Sharief Zainageer.
On the occasion, Vakil welcomed more than 200 workers from different political parties who joined PC in the convention, the party said in a statement.
Addressing the gathering, the PC leader said, “It is the need of the hour that both the UT administration and the Central government come forward to provide every type of assistance and help to fruit growers to revive the industry so that thousands of people and families attached to the industry will not be deprived of their sustenance.”
He appealed to PM Modi to announce a special economic package and waive the KCC loans of the fruit growers to revive the fruit industry, saying this announcement will add significance to his visit to Kashmir Valley and will rejuvenate the fruit industry.
The former minister reiterated his demand for implementing confidence-building measures before parliamentary elections and said if the Government of India wants greater participation in the coming parliamentary elections, it should immediately restore the statehood of J&K and provide a special employment package for unemployed youth in the region.
Addressing the gathering, senior PC leader and District President Baramulla Asif Lone accused the traditional parties of deceiving people in the name of autonomy and self-rule and said these traditional parties are ready to align with anyone for the sake of power. He urged party workers to advance their efforts for the upcoming parliament elections, emphasising the need for credible representatives who will address the genuine concerns of the people.
