Govt’s apathy caused 99% of C-Grade apples go waste: Mehbooba

Srinagar, Sep 21: PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has accsused the National Conference “for its long-standing neglect of the horticulture sector, revealing that 99 percent of this year’s C-grade apple produce has gone waste due to the government’s failure to implement the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS),” said a press release.

In a statement, Mufti said that her late father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had a visionary understanding of J&K’s economic foundations and always recognized the fruit industry as the backbone of the region’s economy.

“Horticulture sustains over 7 lakh families, generates annual revenues of Rs 5,000– Rs 6,000 crore, and contributes nearly 8–9 percent of J&K’s GDP. Mufti Sahib treated this sector as a lifeline, not a seasonal concern,” she said.

Recalling the steps taken during his tenure, she added: “He waived toll tax on fruit transportation, set up mandis across districts for better market access, introduced MIS to purchase C-grade apples so growers were not forced into distress sales, and launched the High-Density Plantation Scheme to modernize horticulture and enhance productivity.”

“For decades, NC governments treated horticulture as an afterthought. By failing to implement MIS this year, they have allowed nearly the entire stock of low-grade fruit almost 99 percent to rot or go to waste.”