Shimla- Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his outrage over the Union Government move to decrease import duties on Washington apple from 70 to 50 percent stating that the move not only goes against the interests of apple growers but also deals a severe blow to the economy of the state.
In a blow to apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, the Union Government has decided to slash the import duty on Washington Apples from 70 percent to a mere 50 percent. This decision has left the orchardists reeling, as they have long been advocating for an increase in import duties on all foreign apples to 100 percent.
Rather than heeding the pleas of the apple growers, the Central Government has chosen to ignore their struggles and has, in fact, exacerbated the situation by decreasing the import duty by a significant 20 percent, Chief Minister stated in a release today.
This decision is not only detrimental to the livelihoods of the apple growers but also has far-reaching implications for the overall economy of the state.
Chief Minister Sukhu affirmed his determination to address this issue with the Central Government, demanding an immediate reversal of the decision and a revision of the import duty on all types of foreign apples to 100 percent. He earnestly appealed to the Central Government to reconsider its stance and prioritize the interests of the apple growers, who have been the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's agricultural economy.
The Chief Minister also reminded the government of the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Prime Minister had pledged to increase import duties on foreign apples and introduce a mandatory 5 percent apple concentrate blend in all types of cold drinks.
However, the recent decision to reduce import duties not only contradicts these promises but also severely undermines the demand for Himachal apples in the international market, directly impacting the already struggling growers.
The implications of this ill-conceived decision are grave. The apple growers, who have tirelessly toiled to build a thriving industry in Himachal Pradesh, now face a bleak future. Their efforts to compete against foreign imports, often of inferior quality, will be further hampered, endangering their livelihoods and the economic stability of the state.
It is imperative for the Central Government to recognize the gravity of the situation and take immediate corrective action.
The apple growers of Himachal Pradesh deserve the government's support and protection, not policies that undermine their hard work and sacrifice.
