Srinagar: As the Government of India has announced its decision to eliminate the additional import duty on apples, walnuts, and almonds imported from the United States, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry has sought the order to be reconsidered as it affects the Kahmir’s apply industry badly.
This untimely decision is raising alarms, as it is expected to have far-reaching consequences on the livelihoods of nearly seven lakh apple grower families in the Kashmir region, KCCI said.
Additionally, the decision threatens to negatively impact the livelihoods of millions of others indirectly connected with the trade. The fear is that competitively priced apples and dry fruits imported from the USA will overshadow the locally produced Kashmiri counterparts in the market.
The implications of this decision are dire, as it threatens to undermine the entire Kashmiri apple industry, which is estimated to be worth nearly 9000 crores and makes a substantial contribution to the state’s economy. This move could spell doom for the industry and have cascading effects on the region’s economic stability.
The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry is not taking this decision lightly and is making an earnest appeal to the Government of India to reconsider its stance, the trade body said.
They argue that the decision should be reevaluated in light of the larger public interest, taking into consideration the potential consequences on the livelihoods and economy of the Kashmir region.
This development is sure to generate significant debate and discussion in the coming days as stakeholders grapple with the implications of the government’s decision on the Kashmiri apple industry and the broader economy.
