Srinagar, Sep 15 (KNS) : Senior Vice President J&K Peoples Conference and former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil has expressed deep anguish over the disastrous condition of the fruit industry due to the continued closure of the National Highway.

In a statement issued, Vakil said that thousands of trucks carrying apples are stranded for days together, resulting in heavy losses worth crores of rupees to fruit growers. He stressed that the backbone of J&K’s economy is being severely hit, while the government remains a silent spectator.

Expressing solidarity with the protesting fruit growers, who have been on the roads for the past two weeks, Vakil lashed out at the Omar Abdullah–led government for its failure to fulfill tall promises made during the last Assembly elections regarding the development and protection of the fruit industry.

“If the Chief Minister had been genuinely concerned about saving the fruit industry at this crucial juncture, he would have taken up the matter with the Central Government and ensured alternative arrangements to transport apples to different fruit mandis in the country through trains and cargo aircrafts.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelBut nothing has been done in this regard. This inaction has pushed fruit growers into an economic crisis,” Vakil said.

At this critical moment, Vakil appealed to the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister to personally intervene and take immediate steps on a war footing to ensure smooth transportation of apples to every part of India. He also demanded a special economic package for fruit growers to compensate for the colossal losses they have suffered due to the failure of the state government in safeguarding the interests of this vital sector.(KNS)