Will urge Prime Minister for double tariff on apple import from Turkey: Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that he would have a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi May 24 and request him to impose double tariff on the import of apple from Turkey and other countries.

Sukhu, while talking to mediapersons here, said that he would raise the issue of the apple growers of Himachal with the Prime Minister during the scheduled meeting of Chief Ministers with him. “I will also write to the Prime Minister for double tariff on apple import as the growers of Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir suffer losses due to the import of cheap fruit form aboard,” he added.

Sukhu said that it was in the domain of the Central Government to act against any country with whom a trade agreement had been signed. “The import of apple from Turkey and the USA results in a steep fall in the prices of apple grown in Himachal. The state growers work hard to grow and cultivate quality apple but are hit hard by the import of fruit,” he added.

The demand for a ban on apple import from Turkey after that country sided with Pakistan in the recent conflict is gaining momentum in the state. Both Congress and BJP leaders have raised this demand. Besides, hoteliers and residents of Kullu-Manali have also demanded the removal of a Turkish firm which has been tasked with undertaking a survey for the strategic Bilaspur-Manali-Leh railway line.

Identify land for cow sanctuaries in Hamirpur

• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday directed the Hamirpur district administration to identify suitable land for the establishment of cow sanctuaries to address the issue of stray animals and provide relief to farmers
• He emphasised the need to identify sites for electric vehicle charging stations along the Hamirpur-Ghumarwin, Nadaun-Amb and Bhota-Una roads
• Sukhu issued directions for accelerating the work on the eco-tourism project at Hareta gram panchayat in Nadaun being developed at a cost of Rs 7 crore
• The aim of the project is to develop basic amenities, grasslands, tree houses for night camping, walking and nature trails, a cafeteria and a children’s park