Over the last 50 days, ongoing unrest in Kashmir, which has led to restrictions and lockdown, has caused Rs 9 billion in losses to the fruit industry. The unrest began in Kashmir in the wake of killing of Hizb commander, Burhan Wani on July 8 in South Kashmir.
“The government-imposed restrictions have adversely affected the horticulture sector as the growers are not able to bring their produce into the mandis (markets) as the trucks are not allowed to move,” chairman All Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said.
The fruit industry, which is considered to be the mainstay of Kashmir's economy contributes Rs 60 billion to State Gross Domestic Product.
“For past few days the government forces are not even allowing fruit laden vehicles in Srinagar market which is adding to the losses,” he said.
“Last year during the corresponding period, Kashmir was exporting around 200 to 250 truckloads of fruit daily. But this time around only 40 to 50 trucks go from Kashmir to outside fruit markets.”
President, Sopore Fruit Mandi, Mushtaq Ahmad Tantray said the government forces are not allowing them to operate Asia’s second fruit Mandi- Sopore, during night hours. “They are not allowing us to operate from 6 PM to 9 AM. Ironically most of the work in the fruit mandi is done during night as during the day hours the growers from various areas bring their produce to the market where it is auctioned and sold, then later dispatched during night hours,” he said and added that unfortunately “we are not allowed to do our business which is causing huge losses to the horticulture sector.”
(1 Indian Rupee=0.015USD)
Source: greaterkashmir.com
