Hakeem demands e-Introduction of MIS

Budgam: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (J&K PDF) and former Minister Hakeem Muhammad Yaseenon Saturday has demanded re- introduction of Market Intervention scheme MIS , on emergency basis , to offset recurring financial losses to fruit growers caused due to continued drought like situation and intermitant hail storms in Jammu and Kashmir . He said fruit growers were grappling with huge financial distress due to colossal damage caused to thier fruit produce due to natural calamities including intermittent hailstorms and continued drought like situation .
In a statement issued from party headquarters here, Hakeem Yaseen while expressing serious concern over deteriorating situation of Kashmir fruit industry , due to prevailing drought like conditions ,has demanded re-introduction of MIS to enable fruit growers to sell their C- grade fruits locally. “ It was most dis- heartening that J&K government has un- reasonably dis- continued much needed Market Intervention MIS to assist its fruit growers whereas the scheme was vigorously persued in our nieghbouring state of Himachal Pradesh where fruit growers are provided Rs10 per/ kg of c- grade apple as minimum market support ,Hakeem Yaseen observed. He has urged L G ManojSinha to personally intervene in the matter and instruct the chief secretary and agriculture production department to start MIS immediately as it was need of the hour to come to the rescue of fruit growers , who have been pushed to wall due to clossal damage caused to their fruit due to back to back natural calamities including intermittent hail storms and pervading drought in the Union Territory . He said if MIS was not re-introduced immediately , about 10000 tonnes of c-grade apple in Kashmir valley would go waste thereby inflecting heavy financial losses on the fruit growers . He said MIS was earlier also in 2005 introduced in Jammu and Kashmir to provide minimum market support to the fruit growers but has been unreasonably abandoned now , the decision which has caused great resentment and disenchant among the farming community .“ Not only MIS but Govt: should also announce to waive off Kissan Credit Card (KCC) loans and exemption of interest on other agriculture lendings to protect livelihood of about 25 lack souls of Jammu and Kashmir associated with the fruit industry ,Hakeem Yaseen demanded .
PDF Chairman has also urged the Central government to reconsider its decision to reduce extra 20% import duty on Washington Apples adding that it would be detrimental to the JK apple industry . He said reduction on import duty on foreign apples has cast a shadow of apprehension upon the livelihood of fruit growers and traders of Jammu and Kashmir .
Hakeem Yaseen has also urged Government to tighten noose around the traders indulging in manufacturing and sale of sub- standard pesticides and fertilizers which have been playing a havoc with the production and quality of fruits . “ Extraordinarymulti-dimensional – measures were needed to protect JK fruit industry on sustained basis ,Hakeem Yaseen said adding that LG ManojSinha should convene a high level meeting with the real stake holders and authorities at the helm of affairs in this regard , on an emergency basis .