Jammu, Feb 10 : BJP National General Secretary and party in charge for Jammu and Kashmir, Tarun Chugh, reacted strongly to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks on duty concessions and their impact on the apple economy of Jammu and Kashmir.
Taking to X, Chugh said, “The claim that duty concessions will devastate J&K’s apple economy is deliberately misleading. Imports are tightly regulated through quantity caps and price safeguards, ensuring that foreign apples cannot flood the market or be dumped at cheaper rates. Premium imports are structured to complement domestic produce, not displace it.”
He said, “Instead of taking concrete steps to assist farmers and strengthen the horticulture sector of Jammu and Kashmir, CM Abdullah is busy peddling misinformation and propaganda. Creating fear around trade decisions may serve political narratives, but it does nothing to support the orchardists whose livelihoods actually depend on stability and facts.”
Chugh stated, “Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture sector deserves investment, modern infrastructure, and access to better markets not panic-driven politics. India already imports apples to bridge the demand gap, and regulated trade merely replaces unstructured imports while protecting farmer income and price stability.”
PM Modi’s Government stands firmly with farmers and horticulturists of Jammu and Kashmir. While some leaders choose propaganda over policy, BJP remains committed to safeguarding livelihoods, strengthening local production, and ensuring that no trade decision is taken at the cost of our farmers’ future, he added. (KNS)
