Early Times Report
Jammu, Oct 29: With no let up in showering of incentives on Kashmir, since the abrogation of special status, in the latest, the administration has opened one more mandi for procurement of apples under the Market Inspection Scheme(MIS).
Officials said after the establishment of MIS mandis in Sopore, Parimpora and Shopian, a similar facility has been opened up in the south Kashmir's Kulgam district that is seen as the hotbed of militancy.
Sources said the administration took the decision in this regard after the overwhelming response of the apple growers in Kashmir towards the MIS.
On September 12, Governor Satya Pal Malik had launched the MIS for the apple growers of Kashmir whereby the government started procuring apple crop from the fruit growers through the National Agricultural Cooperation Marketing Federation of India Limited (NAFED) to "stop the distress sale at lower prices due to the prevalent conditions in Kashmir."
Govt had initially established four fruit mandis in Kashmir at Sopore, Pairmpora, Anantnag and Shopian for the procurement of the crop from the growers. With the establishment of another Mandi in Kulgam, the total number of such facilities has risen to five.
Initially the box of apple weighing 18-21 Kg was purchased from growers at the rate of Rs 54, Rs 38, and Rs 15.75 per KG for A,B and C grades of the apple. But following appeals from the fruit growers the rate has been increased further.
While Kashmir was already known for making around Rs 8,000 crore business from sale of apples, the MIS is set to bring in more fortunes, especially due to the rise in the rates.
Though Jammu province doesn't grow apples, it grows other popular fruits like oranges, mangoes, papaya and olives. Unfortunately, however, no such MIS scheme is being introduced for the fruit growers in the Jammu region.
This is despite the fact that unlike Kashmir which continues to harbor anti-national sentiment, Jammu is known for its nationalist outlook and has welcomed the decision of the Modi government with regard to the abrogation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.
When contacted a senior official said such complaints of alleged discrimination with Jammu were pouring in and that the matter was being looked into.
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