Rafiabad November 15 (KNS): Sr. Vice President J&K Peoples Conference and Former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil today asked the government to impose a blanket ban on Iranian apples as it is ruining the market of homegrown Kashmiri apples. Abdul Gani Vakil today visited several areas of Rafiabad and Sopore. During his tour Vakil addressed meetings in several areas Rafiabad and Sopore including SeerJagir, Janwari, Sher Colony, Model Town and Watergam.
While addressing the meetings Vakil expressed his anguish over the ‘illegal’ import of Iranian apples from Afghanistan to various fruit markets in the country, he said that such attempts are aimed to discourage fruit growers and amounts to depriving thousands of people from their livelihood in Kashmir valley.“It seems GOI is preferring foreign apples over Kashmiri apples.
Vakil demanded immediate ban on import of iranian apple as fruit industry had already been in trouble and loss from past several years due to COVID 19, natural calamities,blockade of national highway on several occasions. He said If government of India does not ban import of iranian apple, the industry will collapse and fruit growers will suffer. Fruit industry is providing livelihood to thousands of people, their livelihood will be affected and it becomes an obligation for the government to come to the support and succor of the fruit industry as they form the backbone of our economy and even at the present, the valley is facing a shortage of cold stores where fruit growers could have stored their produce,” Vakil added.
Vakil reiterated his demand of waiving of KCC loans of fruit growers as most of the growers are struggling to pay their taxes and loans. The fruit industry, which was once the backbone of J&K’s economy, is now at the verge of extinction,” and importing foreign apples is the final nail in the coffin in destroying the vital industry.(KNS)