Himachal CM plays down harassment of Kashmiris
Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Feb 19: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said the trade deal between India and the United States would have the biggest impact on farmers, particularly apple and dry fruit growers in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
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Addressing a joint press conference at the Congress party headquarters along with Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra, Sukhu said both states share similar topography and a large section of their population depends on small farms and horticulture. “Seventy to seventy-five per cent of farmers are dependent on their small farms. This deal will have a huge impact on J&K and Himachal Pradesh,” he said.
He said apple growers in both states had only recently begun to stabilise after years of struggle. “Our orchadists were slowly standing on their feet. They were involved in the apple trade for many years and now they are moving forward,” he said, adding that many had set up controlled atmosphere (CA) stores so they could sell produce in the off-season at better prices.
Calling the agreement a setback, he said it had “shattered the dreams of the gardeners”, warning that it would also severely affect walnuts, almonds and other dry fruits, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir where production is higher than in Himachal.
Sukhu said under earlier free trade arrangements with New Zealand and the European Union, import duties were minimal, and exports to the US attracted around 3.3% duty. “If we import walnuts, almonds and apples, they will not get any import duty. When we want to send, we will get 18% import duty. Under which circumstances was this trade deal done?” he asked.
He claimed walnut prices had already fallen by Rs 100 per kg and warned the decline would not stop there once American produce entered India duty-free.
Sukhu also addressed concerns about harassment incidents involving Kashmiri traders in Himachal. He said Kashmiris had lived and worked in the state “for centuries” in peace and harmony. “If there is such an incident, we put it under strict investigation. They should openly do business and inform police by dialling 112 if anything happens,” he said, adding that some incidents were amplified on social media for political or financial motives.
Karra, meanwhile, questioned the J&K Government’s finances. Referring to a budget speech by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, he alleged that Rs 100,000 crore remained unspent last year, with capital expenditure (CAPEX) allocations finalised only in August, leading to works not being executed and funds lapsing. “When we examined the budget speech, we found there was an unspent amount of Rs 100,000 crores. The allocation of last year’s budget was not done,” Karra said.
He questioned why fresh borrowing was needed if such savings existed. Referring to a 50-year interest-free loan, he said earlier borrowings from the Asian Development Bank and World Bank were interest-based and project-specific, whereas this was “budget-based” and meant to run the government, including salaries and routine expenses. “If your savings have increased to Rs 100,000 crores, why burden the state with loans?” he asked, adding that the party was not satisfied with the government’s explanation.
Karra also criticised changes to the Congress-era rural employment scheme MGNREGA, saying it had protected rural livelihoods and migration. He said the Congress would continue its protest for restoration of statehood to J&K, calling it a right of 1.4 crore people and urging all parties to support the demand.
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