Sopore July 16 (KNS): Peoples Conference (PC) senior vice president and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil today said fruit growers in Kashmir were facing acute hardships as the administration had side-lined their demands and that the fruit industry in Kashmir was on the verge of a collapse.

“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,” he said.

Vakil was addressing a deputation of fruit growers from sopore.

Vakil added that 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. 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)