Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 21: The J&K Kissan Tehreek (JKKT) today held a protest demonstration against the authorities for not taking the necessary measures for the betterment of the fruit growers, who, they said, are suffering immensely.
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Several people under the banner of JKKT appeared in the Press Enclave and were seen raising slogans in favour of their demands and against the Government for failing in uplifting the farmers across the country as well as J&K.
“Fruit industry in Kashmir is facing a tough time. The Government does not have a marketing policy; they have not taken necessary measures for uplifting the farmers or facilitating their business which is suffering due to the lack of attention by the Government,” Muhammad Ayoub Chopan of JKKT said.
He said that the apple produce is facing destruction, and, he said, despite knowing the ground reality, the Government has not done anything in this regard. “There is a need to ensure the betterment of apple growers because 70% of the production of the apple in the country is from Kashmir. There is a need for putting in place the necessary policy,” he said.
Another protestor, Wali Muhammad said several ministers are these days visiting Kashmir, promising to make the lives of people easy.
“But it is disheartening to know that the Government preferred to get the apples from other countries and paid no attention to the apples from Kashmir which used to cater to the needs of thousands of families; today they are on the roads because the Government has just ignored the fruit industry of Kashmir,” he said.
He said that the current dispensation was incapable and only provided relief to big-wigs, leaving out the poor farmers. “They remitted the loans of big corporations and did nothing for the farmers of J&K; nothing at all,” he said.
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