Shimla: Illegal import of Iran apple through Afghanistan, Coming through Bagha border, import duty, Crisis on Himachal apple. The matter echoed in Himachal Assembly; MLA Kuldeep said – being brought through Afghanistan

The issue of illegal import of apples in Indian markets was raised in Himachal Assembly on Saturday. Theog MLA Kuldeep Rathore said that Iran’s apples are being brought to the country’s markets via Afghanistan, because there is no import duty on Afghan apples. He said that it is being brought from Bagha border.

Therefore, to avoid import duty, traders are bringing it through Afghanistan. This should be stopped. This has not only created a crisis for the Apple industry of Himachal, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand, but the Center is also facing loss in terms of revenue.

Himachal’s apple industry will be ruined if import duty is reduced

Kuldeep Rathore also urged the opposition i.e. Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in the House to raise this issue with the Center and request them to stop the illegal import of apples. Also demand to keep the import duty on Washington Apple at 70 percent.

In the month of June itself, the Center has reduced the import duty on Washington Apple from 70 percent to 50 percent. Kuldeep Rathore said that now there are preparations to increase it to 15 percent. It should not happen. Due to this, Himachal’s apple industry worth Rs 55 thousand crore will be ruined and the apple industry which provides livelihood to thousands of families will be ruined.

PM Modi should fulfill his promise: Negi

Horticulture Minister in Himachal Pradesh Assembly Jagat Negi said that before becoming the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi had promised to increase the import duty on apples in Hamirpur in 2014. The central government did not fulfill this promise even in nine years. On the contrary, now the import duty has been reduced and the gardeners are worried.

These government figures are the reason for the concern of gardeners

Due to the arrival of Iranian apple and reduction in import duty on Washington apple, the concerns of Himachali gardeners have started increasing. The reason for their concern is the figures of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. According to the ministry, in the year 2017-18, when the import duty on Washington Apple was 50%, 1,27,908 metric tonnes of Apple was imported from Washington to India.

In the year 2018, import duty on apple was increased to 70%. After this, in the financial year 2022-23, the import of apples from Washington reduced to only 4,486 tonnes. That means after increasing the import duty from 50 to 70 percent, the import of apples reduced by 29 times. When it reduces to 15%, apple imports will increase manifold.

This year, a large quantity of apples are being imported from Iran. This will affect the apples kept in cold stores in the coming days.