Sukhu slams duty cut on US apple

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that the central government’s decision to reduce the import duty on Washington apple from 70% to 50% was against the interests of fruit growers in the state. He said that for long, the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh had been demanding to raise the import duty on all types of imported apples to 100%. Sukhu in a statement issued in Shimla said instead of increasing the import duty, the Centre slashed it on Washington apple by 20%, which is against the interests of the apple growers. He said this decision, besides affecting the apple growers, will also impact the economy of the state. Saying that he would take up this issue with the central government, Sukhu sought to increase the import duty on all types of foreign apples to 100%. He also appealed the central government to reconsider its decision. “During 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised to increase the import duty on foreign apples and to blend 5% apple concentrate in all types of cold drinks. But now, a decision has been made to reduce the import duty. Now, the demand for Himachal apples will decrease in the international market that will directly affect the growers,” he added.