Srinagar, Feb 07: In the backdrop of the interim agreement under the US–India trade deal, wherein fresh fruits imported from the United States are expected to face reduced tariffs, Kashmir’s apple growers have sent an SOS to Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi, warning that cheaper imports could seriously undermine the domestic horticulture sector.
In a detailed letter addressed to the Prime Minister at South Block, New Delhi, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, urged the Centre to impose an import duty of “over and above 100 per cent” on apples imported from the United States and European countries
Quoting the letter verbatim, Basheer wrote:
With great respects and humble submission your goodself are informed that the Apple Growers of the Valley had been seeking hike over and above 100% in American/European Apple import duty enabling the Fruit Growers of Valley, Himachal and Uttarakhand to compete in Indian Markets.”