J&K: PDP Protests in Srinagar Against Removal of Import Duty on Washington Apple

Srinagar: Several workers of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday held a protest in Srinagar against the removal of import duties on foreign apples, terming it as “economic terrorism” against the farmers and fruit growers in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Suhail Bukhari, the party’s chief spokesperson, whilst expressing concerns over the impact of the move on the Apple industry in the region and in Himachal Pradesh, emphasised that the decision to eliminate duties will have “severe consequences” for the economic well-being of both the regions. 

He also pointed out that the local fruit sales have been facing potential adverse effects for the past three years. “The government of India’s decision has come at a time when there is a harvesting season of Apple at peak, and prices have already gone down, whereas last year at the same time, our fruit-laden trucks were deliberately made to stand on the highway, which resulted in huge crises to the people associated with this fruit industry,” he told reporters.  

Bukhari lashed out at the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) for making “tall claims” of economic stability but alleged that it has made “anti-people” decisions.

“In order to keep Americans and other foreign countries happy, the central government not only has closed its eyes towards its own people who need much to tackle grave economic crises and it seems GOI is less concerned about its own people who are facing greater consequences with this decision,” he said. 

The Government of India lifted additional import duties on several American products, including apples, walnuts and almonds, ahead of the recent visit by the US president Joe Biden. According to the ministry's circular, the duty on the apple reportedly has been reduced from 35% to 15%. The move, however, raised serious concerns in the local farming community and has since been widely criticised by the regional political parties. 

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M) leader from Jammu and Kashmir, M Y Tarigami, said that dropping import duty on Washington apples from 35% to 15% is PM Modi's G20 gift to Joe Biden. 

“In the US, corporations are engaged in apple farming, with the state giving them heavy subsidies on fertilisers & pesticides. Our marginal growers, in contrast, are groaning under debts and are unable even to recoup the input costs. Reducing the import duty is bound to compound their distress,” he said. 

Similarly, the chief spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC), Tanvir Sadiq, in a statement, urged the government to focus on the well-being of its own citizens instead of prioritising foreign interests. 

“We earnestly urge the Government of India to reconsider this decision and kindly request the Office Of Lt Governor of J&K to address this matter with the highest authorities in Delhi kindly,” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.