Farmers demand 100% import duty on foreign apples
Kashmiris provided electricity, generated on their water resources, at unaffordable rates: Tarigami
Srinagar: While raising demand for imposition of 100 per cent import duty on foreign fruits, Apple Farmers Federation held daylong conference of Yaripora Tehsil in District Kulgam with the slogan “Save Apple Save Kashmir”.
The conference was attended by hundred of farmers and fruit growers of the area.
While addressing the conference Communist Party of India-Marxist leader Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami said that claims of development in Jammu and Kashmir were mismatching on the ground.
Referring to the problems and issues faced by the apple growers, he said apple provides livelihood to thousands of families but these farmers are facing severe distress due to lack of remunerative price and non-availability of storage facilities. All claims of development remain hollow unless livelihood issues of common people are not addressed.
Referring to installation of smart meters in urban as well as rural areas, he said people are resisting the move. The power generated on our water resources is being supplied to people at unaffordable rates. The livelihood issues of people have been totally ignored.
He demanded release of all political prisoners languishing in and outside jails.
The conference demanded 100% import duty on foreign apples, provision of fertilizers and pesticides at subsidized rates to apple farmers, construction of cold stores at every apple producing districts.
Others who spoke on the occasion include kisan leaders Zahoor Ahmad Rather, Abdul Rashid, Ramesh Bhat and Bashir Ahmad Wani. Muhammad Afzal Parry DDC chairperson, Kulgam and Muhammad Abass Rather DDC member also spoke on the occasion.
You must be logged in to post a comment.