Srinagar, September 21 (IANS) East Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehboba Mufti on Sunday accused the National Conference (NC) that they allow the market intervention scheme (MIS) to go on waste.
In a statement, Mehboba Mufti said that the neglect of the horticulture sector has ruined 99 percent of this year’s C-grade apple crop as the NC government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had not implemented MIS to support the horticulture industry.
He claimed that his father Late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed was ‘a visionary who understood the foundation of the economy of Jammu and Kashmir and always recognized the fruit industry as the backbone of the region’s economy.’
“Horticulture is more than seven million families, generates annual revenue of Rs 5,000 to 6,000 crore, and contributes about 8 to 9 percent of GDP of J&K. Mufti Sahib considered the region as a lifeline, not a season of seasonal concern.”
The PDP chairman said, “They waived toll tax on the transport of fruits, established mandis in districts for better market access, introduced MIS to buy C-grade apples so that producers could not be forced to sell crisis, and a high density plantation scheme was launched to modernize and increase horticulture and increase horticulture.”
Accusing the Nekan government of deliberate neglect, he said: “For decades, the NC governments considered horticulture later. Failing to implement MIS this year, they have allowed the entire stock of about 99 percent less-grade fruit to rot or waste.”
“The producers who are already struggling with the closure of the highway have been pushed to the brink and rising costs.”
He insisted that this inactivity not only reflects inefficiency, but is indifferent to the backbone of J&K economy.
He said, “Fruit growers are not asking for donations. They demand fairness, continuity of MIS, and guarantee access to markets. Neck’s neglect has endangered an entire community and weakened the rural economy,” he said.
He urged the NC government to immediately revive and expand the MIS, ensure unhealthy truck movement on the Srinagar -Jamu highway and consider gardening as a permanent pillar of Jammu and Kashmir’s economic policy, not later.
Horticulture and tourism are not the largest industry in Kashmir.
The horticulture industry contributes Rs 10,000 crore to the annual Union sector economy.
Apple is the mainstay of Kashmir’s horticulture industry, while cherry, walnuts, almonds, peaches and pears are also produced in the valley and sold in the markets outside J&K.
Apple growers and traders suffered heavy losses due to issuing this year and blockade of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, causing apple loaded apples in trapped trucks.
During the last three days, more than 6,000 trucks carrying apples out of the valley have moved to the Srinagar-Jammu highway and Mughal Road which connects the Valley’s Shopian district with the Ponch district of Jammu Division.
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SQ/KHz