The erroneous statement published by Horticulture P&M Department in daily local news papers on 25th of September regarding losses suffered by valley based fruit growers and dealers, the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFG) are of the opinion that officers of the Horticulture P&M Department are giving these erroneous statements while sitting in their bungalows without knowing the reasons of losses of fruits on gross root level, despite of fact that a team of Subject Matter Specialists (SMS) are already available in their departments. More so, this Union (KVFG) have repeatedly informed the Horticulture P&M Department and other concerned departments as well in advance regarding apprehension of losses with the request for immediate remedial measures therefore.In a statement issued to KNS said that in fact due to continued curfew imposed by the government in the entire Valley the fruit growers/dealers could not find a gap for spray of Pesticides in their orchards resulting due to fall of leaves of fruit plants the maximum apple crop has fell down from the plants. “Since the fruit growers/dealers of the valley feel acute anxious about the situation of the orchards and it was therefore felt necessary to lift the fallen fruit crop from the orchards on war footing basis to avoid further losses,” statement said. “Accordingly due to compulsion the Valley based fruit growers/dealers during the deal and night hours by hook or crook made immediate arrangements for lifting of fallen apple crop and subsequent dispatch of the same to the outside Mandies for immediate sale,” statement added.
But height of things is that these fruit laden trucks are being stopped at Qazigund, Lower Munda and at Jawahar tunnel too by police/traffic personnel for minimum period of three days and even they closed the tunnel at 04: p.m. resulting entire fruit reaches to its destination in the damaged manner. Even at Delhi too the APMC also stand these trucks at their own will, the statement further said. “This way the valley based fruit growers and dealers suffers losses of thousands crores of rupees despite payment of double rate of freight charges of fruits than that of previous year. As compared to previous the freight are doubled this year which also adds vows to the fruit growers. Horticulture P&M Department instead of giving erroneous statements should put their efforts for smooth plying of fruit laden trucks on Srinagar Jammu National Highway in which it seems they are interested.”“The KVFG Union, in view of the circumstances explained above request Inspector General Police (Traffic) Kashmir/Jammu and other concerned officers to kindly allow the movement of fruit laden trucks on Srinagar Jammu National Highway without any interruptions and without standing these trucks in the way,” statement said. It is further requested that fruit laden trucks may kindly be allowed to ply during the day and night so that the entire fruit will arrive to its destinations in good condition so that the Valley based fruit growers and dealers will not suffer from further losses. (KNS)