Srinagar February 14:(KNS) Peoples Conference (PC) senior vice president and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil said that the fruit industry in Kashmir was on the verge of a collapse as the government had ignored it at the ground level. fruit growers in Kashmir were facing acute hardships as the administration had sidelined their demands.

"Although after the abrogation of Article 370, the Government of India made big promises that apple industry in Kashmir will be boosted through special packages but it has remained restricted to statements only," and  said till time no such package was given to the apple growers.

Fruit industry has already been badly hit due to COVID 19, unrest, weather vagaries and the illegal import of Iranian apples but nothing is being done for upliftment of this vital industry. "Even in the recent union budget, there was nothing for the distressed fruit growers of the Valley. Most of the growers are struggling in paying their taxes, loans and other things. The fruit industry, which was once the backbone of J&K's economy, is presently on the verge of extinction," Vakil said.(KNS)