Amid the flare up in the freight charges by the transporters during the peak season of apple export to different parts of the country, the Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah today had a meeting with the members of different fruit and transport associations and agencies.The Deputy Commissioner urged upon the transporters that fair and justifiable rates should be charged from the fruit growers.
Hailing that the horticulture sector has established as the prime income generating sector in the district, he called for cooperation between the transport and fruit associations so that the harvesting season of apple will provide full dividends to the fruit growers and the transporters.
During the deliberations, it was mutually agreed by the apple growers associations and transporters association that during the peak season, Rs 40 per apple box will be charged for Jammu while as Rs 60 and Rs 80 per apple box will be charged for Punjab and Delhi respectively.It was the general request of the fruit growers that the closing time of the Jawahar Tunnel may be extended so that no fruit trucks remain stranded on this part of the tunnel during evening hours. The SSP Anantnag assured them that their issue will be taken into consideration.The meeting was also attended by ARTO, District Horticulture Officer, besides others.