Srinagar: Dismayed over the “frequent halt” of fruit trucks on the National Highway, Former Horticulture Minister and Senior leader of People’s Conference, Syed Basharat Bukhari has urged the government to devise a foolproof mechanism for transportation of apples to outside state markets.
In a statement, the former Horticulture Minister said that holding back perishable fruit like apples not only risks a huge loss to growers but can lead to a huge imbalance between demand and supply in various markets of the country.
According to the statement, Bukhari has taken up the matter at various levels, including Principal Secretary of Agriculture, Director Horticulture Planning and Marketing besides speaking to various concerned stakeholders in Delhi, Mumbai, and other major fruit Mandis.
Bukhari said that during his conversation with officers he was told that they have already taken cognizance but he requested them to push it more.
He said people outside the valley were habitual of taking apples for health benefits and its shortfall in markets was bound to trigger the health issues also. He urged the government to ensure that the passage of apple trucks on the highway is ensured without any hindrance.
