Mehbooba Mufti seeks loan waiver, revival of MIS for fruit growers

Srinagar, Oct 6: Expressing serious concern over the huge losses suffered by fruit growers this year, People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said that the extent of damage caused to the horticulture sector is unprecedented and unmatched even during the years of fragile situation in the Valley.

Addressing reporters, Mufti said that the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, transportation hurdles, and storage issues have led to large-scale fruit damage across Kashmir. “Even during peak of tense situation, we never witnessed such a huge loss. This year’s damage has broken all records,” she said.

The PDP chief urged the government to take immediate measures to provide relief to affected orchardists. She appealed to the administration to waive off Kisan Credit Card loans, or at least exempt the interest component, in view of the severe financial distress faced by fruit growers.

Mufti also called for the revival of the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) that was introduced during Mufti Mohammad Syed government’s tenure, under which lower-grade (C-grade) apples were procured by the government for processing into juice and other products. “Such measures helped stabilize the market and prevented wastage,” she added.