Rafiabad May 28 (KNS) Former minister and Sr. Vice President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Abdul Gani Vakil today demanded a comprehensive package for fruit (Apple) growers who have been suffering maximum losses over the years due to natural calamities and political upheavals.
Vakil appealed to the Government of India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Apple growers have been suffering due to natural calamities like hailstorm, wind storm, COVID 19, political problems that often leads to shutdown etc. "The apple industry is into tatters and needs a comprehensive package to revive so that growers can cope up with the losses," he said.
Vakil expressed surprise over the government's step motherly treatment towards apple industry which is among the main economic sectors of J&K. " If government continues to overlook this vital apple sector, and fail to revive the industry, it will leave thousands of people jobless," he added.
Vakil said this during his tour to various villages of Rafiabad including Shalkoot, Potoosa, Khamoh, Bakhipora, Chijhama, Wuhlutura, Brandub etc.
He lambasted at the UT government saying the govt has failed to keep up with the promises done with the fruit growers like waiving off KCC loans because of which the economic backbone of Kashmir is crippling.
"A special comprehensive package along with waiving off KCC loans is need of the hour so that the fruit growers can take a sigh of relief," he added.
Vakil was accompanied by Sr. PC leaders, Tariq Ahmad Khan, Umar Rashid Adv., Mohammad M Naikoo, Bilal Ahmad Khan, and Ghulam Nabi Vijbal. (KNS)