Srinagar: The Viksit Bharat Ambassador Programme commenced today at Radisson Collection, Rajbagh Srinagar, chaired by Hardeep Suri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, aimed at fostering dialogue on the Economic reconstruction of Jammu and Kashmir.
Among the attendees was Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, who presented a charter of demands pertaining to the promotion of the Horticulture Industry in J&K UT, which contributes significantly to the national economy. Key demands included:
– Imposition of 100% import duty on imported apples or limiting the quantity of imported apples to safeguard the local industry.
– Implementation of the Crop Insurance Scheme to provide relief to fruit growers during national disasters.
– Introduction of a Market Intervention Scheme for Grade “C” and fallen (Culled) apples.
– Reduction of GST rates on essential agricultural inputs such as insecticides, pesticides, fertilizers, and packaging materials.
– Subsidies on cardboard cartons, plastic trays, baskets, and waste papers.
– Establishment of outlets for quality pesticides in every district to combat diseases in fruit orchards.
– Allocation of funds exclusively for the Horticulture Sector’s promotion.
– Treatment of Tree Spray Oil as an agricultural product.
– Establishment of a separate Horticulture Estate and provision for allied factories to support fruit growers and dealers.
– Improvement and designation of Mughal Road as a National Highway for year-round transportation.
– Provision of high-density plant material to growers for orchard rejuvenation.
– Allocation of separate funds for the Horticulture sector’s utilization during natural calamities.
– Development of Satellite/Terminal Mandis with budget provisions.
– Calculation of interest on Cash Credit Limits at concessional rates and on an annual basis.
– Rejuvenation of fruit plants and provision of quality fruit plants to growers free of cost.
– Connectivity of Fruit Mandis with railway links for efficient transportation of produce.
The letter concluded with a request for the railhead’s connectivity with all Mandis, particularly Fruit Mandi Parimpora, to facilitate transportation.
