Mir Iqbal
Pulwama, Oct 26: Giving an official blow to the apple trade in Pulwama district, the Government has failed to construct the fruit market in Pachard village of Rajpora town, leaving it without providing space and basic facilities to the traders.
Local fruit growers and traders said the fruit market was constructed on five kanals of land belonging to Horticulture Production Department to provide local market and space to at least 150 villages of Pulwama, Budgam and Shopian districts including Rajpora, Pulwama, Keller, Brubgam, Akal, Bellow, Rahmoo, Pakherpora, Gulshanabad, Batpora, Abhama and Zaigam to hoard and trade apple crop.
“But due to the Government’s negligence, the market never saw the light of the day as a result merchants have to face a lot of trouble,” they said.
Abdul Qayoom Wani, General Secretary, Kandi Fruit and Vegetable Growers and Dealers Association, Apni Mandi Pachaid (KFVGDP), said they have to face a lot of inconveniences as the fruit market has not been developed.
Wani said the Government was ignoring the fruit growers of the town and discouraging them from carrying it forward even though crores of rupees are generated from the market.
Chairman KFVGDP, Mohammad Ayoub Dar, said, “Had the Government been serious for the welfare of the people of this apple-rich belt, they would have developed this Mandi into a satellite market to benefit the lakhs of people”.
Fruit growers’ agents also said: “The pathetic condition of the mandi tells the story of step-motherly attitude of authorities toward us. Had the Government been really sincere in boosting horticulture sector, it would have extended the mandi and turned it into a commercials hub.”
The traders rued it was not possible for them to run their business in the rainy days, as only two shops were constructed by the Government in these years and rest of the business community had to shut their business.
“About 80 merchants and forwarding agents are without shops and in every trade season there is a lot of damage to their harvested crop due to inadequate facilities,” the traders said.
Even though the traders and growers approached the Horticulture Minister Raman Bhalla and the local legislator Syed Bashir Ahmad, yet it was of no avail as nothing changed so far. The traders said Horticulture Minister Raman Bhala also visited the Mandi and promised to upgrade it to a satellite mandi.
Horticulture, Planning and Marketing Officer, district Pulwama, Mohammad Yousuf Shah, said the department has recognized the potential of this Mandi and it has recently extended its area by adding more kanal of land.
“We have sent a proposal to add some 15 Kanals of land from Horticulture nursery, which is close to the Mandi to extend it, as the mandi witnesses a huge rush now,” he said.
He said the department has sanctioned Rs 8 lakh for its upgradation and for that experts have been assigned the task, which they were supposed to complete within short period of time.
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