Srinagar, Sept 17 (KNS): Awami Itihaad Party (AIP) Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi has urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to take immediate responsibility for the worsening crisis faced by fruit growers in Kashmir, stressing that the issues fall squarely under the elected government’s domain and cannot be brushed aside with excuses.

Inam Un Nabi said growers are reeling under a double blow , first, an acute shortage of transporters has led to freight charges skyrocketing from ?60 per peti to ?230 per peti and second, a severe shortage of packing material, particularly paper and bardaan (packing boxes), has left orchardists struggling to dispatch their produce on time.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Inam said it is deeply unfortunate that while the fruit industry, which forms the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, is passing through such a critical phase, the elected Government is nowhere visible on the ground. “The Chief Minister cannot continue to look for alibis; he must step in and provide immediate relief,” he said.

The AIP Chief Spokesperson Inam Un Nabi demanded that the state arrange SRTC trucks on priority to stabilize freight charges and simultaneously press the Government of India to provide additional railway bogies so that the crop is swiftly transported to different states.(KNS)