Jammu & Kashmir
Apple traders from Sopore protest against ‘illegal selling’ of Iranian apples in Indian markets
Sopore: The fruit market had suffered badly since the last few months as Iranian apples were “illegally” and freely sold in Indian markets, say those associated with the fruit trade at Asia’s second-largest fruit mandi in the apple town Sopore area of northern Kashmir.
While seeking the ban on Iranian apples in the country, the traders also staged a protest demonstration on Monday, stating that the import of Iranian apples to India has completely downgraded the fruit industry of Kashmir.
“Since the last few months, it has badly affected our local fruit industry as the apples which were being sold at suitable prices are now being sold at less price. This has left all the fruit traders worried, “the protesters said.
“The apple trade in Kashmir is the biggest trade on which economy of Kashmir runs and if it will be downgraded the business infrastructure of Kashmir, “the protesters said.
They said that the Apple industry was already suffering for the last few years due to the COVID lockdown and uncertainty and now importing Iranian apples and sideling local production is not only a headache for us but is affecting us badly.
“The apples coming from Iran enter the market without tax while the same time the local fruit growers pay their taxes regularly, “Mudasir Ahmad, a local apple trader said, adding that the government of India should ban it very soon.
Mustafa Jameel another trader said that his fruit business is getting worse with each passing day due to Iranian apples as he had dispatched many apple trucks to Delhi but has got a very meager price in return.
The traders also appealed to GoI and the LG leg administration to ban the import of Iranian apples so that the local apple trade won’t suffer. (KNO)
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