Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 6: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today demanded a waiver of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and interest exemption on Cash Credit (CC) accounts for those associated with the horticulture sector.
Speaking to reporters at the party headquarters, Mufti said the losses suffered by the industry this year due to the closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway were “unprecedented” and met with a delayed response from the Government.
“I urge the Government to waive off KCC loans, because if that is not done, this industry will collapse. There are also CC loans on which the interest must be exempted. The Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) and other necessary steps must be taken up,” she said.
Mufti noted that the losses suffered by the fruit industry were unprecedented, stressing that “it has not happened when the militancy was at its peak. It was caused due to the prolonged closure of the National Highway and lack of early and timely intervention from the Government.”
She added that the Chief Minister took 20 days to call Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, due to which fruit-laden trucks got stranded, and when the produce finally reached the mandis, prices had dropped.
“Already tourism is down. If this industry collapses – because people have taken loans – it will affect the livelihoods of lakhs of people,” she said.
Mufti said that former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had understood the importance of the horticulture sector and had taken timely measures for its growth.
“There was no toll tax; mandis were established because of him. High-density plantation and MIS- he took a number of steps for strengthening the sector,” she added.
She said that the NC-led Government must take the horticulture industry seriously and ensure necessary measures are taken to support it
“They (growers) have taken loans and are facing financial difficulties; they have been left with nothing. I hope the Chief Minister will intervene, KCC loans will be waived off, so that they can heave a sigh of relief,” she added.
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