Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi
Shimla, 06 September: The issue of import duty on apples was raised again during the Question Hour in the Himachal Assembly on Friday. Replying to the issue raised by MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that India imports 5 lakh tonnes of apples from 32 countries.
Himachal Pradesh produces 5 lakh metric tonnes of apples, while Jammu and Kashmir produces 21 lakh metric tonnes of apples. If 5 lakh tonnes of apples are imported from abroad, equal to Himachal, then the gardeners of the state have to face problems.
He said that the state government has written several letters to the Center urging to increase the import duty, but Himachal Pradesh is being discriminated against. He said that during his visit to the state during the elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to increase the import duty on apples to 100% and to add 5% apple concentrate to soft drinks, but it has not been implemented yet.
He said that about 50 thousand metric tons of apples are coming from Iran via Afghanistan, which has increased the concern of the gardeners. MLA Balbir Singh Verma said that apples are produced in 6 districts of Himachal Pradesh. He said that in the markets, apples are being sold at rates instead of the weight, due to which the gardeners are suffering losses.
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