Compensate affected stakeholders in horticulture, tourism sectors: Apni Party urges Centre

Srinagar, Sep 20: Apni Party on Saturday reiterated its demand for adequate compensation to the people affected in the horticulture and tourism sectors. The party further urged the Union government to introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for perishable fruits such as apples, in order to safeguard growers’ produce and secure their livelihoods.

According to a press statement issued here, a provincial-level meeting was held at the party headquarters in Srinagar. The meeting, chaired by the party’s Provincial President Mohammad Ashraf Mir, aimed to discuss pressing public issues and the current political scenario in the Valley.

During the meeting, party leaders from across the Valley provided feedback regarding the political situation and public issues in their respective areas. They also shared their views on a range of public concerns and certain party matters.

Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Ashraf Mir reiterated the party’s demand for adequate compensation to those affected in the horticulture and tourism sectors. He said, “Our brethren affiliated with the tourism and horticulture sectors are currently grappling with severe losses. Tourism was hit earlier this year when terrorists attacked tourists in Pahalgam on April 22, which shocked everyone and caused significant losses to businesses in the tourism industry. The sector is still struggling to recover. Now, due to the closure of NH44 following landslides and flash floods, our horticulture industry has been badly affected. Growers lost most of their produce, which was loaded in trucks stranded on the highway and in parking lots.”

Mir further said, “I reiterate the party’s demand that the Union government introduce a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for perishable fruits such as apples, in order to safeguard growers’ produce and protect their livelihoods.”