Shopain, March 16 (KNS): Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) Ghulam Nabi Azad today demanded special package for fruit growers of Kashmir in form of cess on Apple import and hassle free movement after the harvest.
"The fruit bowl of Kashmir, Shopian has suffered a lot during decades of uncertainty and now requires attention of the government which it should give by providing hassle free movement of apple laden trucks after the harvest and cess on Apple import," Azad told well attended gathering here in Shopian.
In fact Azad as Chief Minister carved separate district of Shopain in July 2006.
Expressing concern over drop in the rates of apple during peak season, he sought special package from Government of India to rehabilitate fruit growers as they are suffering losses and horticulture is the main backbone of J&K economy.
Azad said that apple crop after harvesting should immediately reach mandis in all parts of the country.
"I assure my fruit growers of Kashmir that I would take up the matter of cess on apple import with the Union Government," he added.
Saying that J&K was a historic state from centuries, Azad criticized the decision to abrogate Article 370 and bifurcation of state into two Union Territories.
Azad took on the J&K government policies on property, land, jobs, Azad affirmed that once his party DPAP comes to power, all hasty and anti people decisions would be reversed.
"Land is being forcibly taken, jobs snatched, scams in recruitment are rampant, government of the day has lost total connnect with the grievances of the common masses," Azad said.
Azad assured Shopian residents of special package for every nook and corner of the district the way he created it.
"In 2014 when I was in opposition at the Centre, I through my goodwill got medicines and other essentials in crores for flood victims and personally monitored releif and rehabilitation in Srinagar," he recalled.
Among others who spoke on the occassion include GM Saroori, Taj Mohidin, Muhammad Amin Bhat, Gulzar Ahmad Wani, Salman Nizami, Er Mujtaba, Mansoor Ahmad Magrey, Javaid Hakeem.
District president Mushtaq Ahmad Khanday organized the event. (KNS)