Srinagar, Sept 12: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry has expressed dismay over the Commerce Ministry’s decision to remove the additional import duty on apples, walnuts, and almonds imported from the USA.
The Chamber in a statement to Ziraat Times said that the decision would have a “harsh impact” on nearly seven lakh apple grower families in Kashmir and would also adversely affect the livelihood of millions of others indirectly connected with the trade.
The Chamber said that the cheaply priced apples or dry fruits imported from the USA would obviously stand much stronger against the Kashmiri produce in the competitive market.
“This could spell doom for the nearly 9000 crore worth apple industry in Kashmir, which makes a sizable contribution to the state economy”, KCCI said.
The Chamber has appealed to the Government of India to reconsider the decision in the larger public interest.
