Minister Piyush Goyal Peels Back Red Tape, Promises a Fruitful Future for Kashmir’s Apple Industry

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, during his address at the FTII Traders' Conclave in Srinagar, assured apple traders and handicraft players in Jammu & Kashmir that their key demands would be raised at the highest level. In an effort to tackle industry demands, Goyal welcomed the call for further protection for Kashmiri apples and assured to urge a reduction in GST on handicrafts.

 

Now, imported apples also face a minimum import price (MIP) of ₹50 per kg and an import duty of 50%, the final retail price of which is ₹125–150 per kg after incurring all the expenses. Goyal added that the government is already subsidizing domestic growers substantially, but further steps—raising the MIP or the import duty—will be proposed to the Agriculture Ministry to safeguard farmers without burdening the consumers. He also stressed the need to balance the 140 crore Indian consumers and domestic apple growers, as India still imports 4.5–5 lakh tonnes of apples annually due to the insufficient domestic production.

 

In the handicrafts industry, Goyal promised to take the industry's demand to the Finance Ministry to cut GST from 12% to 5% to make the industry competitive. Goyal also inaugurated new Centres of Excellence and advanced packaging units in Jammu & Kashmir, aiming at using technology for product quality enhancement and export potential.

 

Key Highlights:

 

Guarantee to apple producers: Government to explore raising import protection for Kashmiri apples.

 

GST relief: Lowering GST on handicrafts from 12% to 5% to be tabled with Finance Ministry.

 

Export promotion: Promotion of the export of apples, cherries, walnuts, and strawberries from J&K.

 

Infrastructure surge: New Centers of Excellence and packing facilities with state-of-the-art technology. Equitable strategy: Emphasis on protecting growers' interests and pricing for consumers.

 

Free Trade Arrangements: India to receive improved market access for locally manufactured products while protecting domestic interests.

 

Source: CNBC-TV18, PTI, Greater Kashmir, The Week, Rediff Money