JAMMU: J&K legislators voiced concern on Tuesday over the US trade deal’s potential impact on Kashmiri apples, with many describing it as a “death blow”.“They (Centre) have told America it can send as much fruits and apples as it wants at zero duty and we will buy it here. Where has their sympathy for Jammu and Kashmir gone?” CM Omar Abdullah asked in the assembly.Omar questioned claims by some BJP legislators that the trade deal would benefit the region. “I am still trying to understand where this good thing is for J&K,” Omar said. He claimed apples and walnuts have been placed under zero-duty imports as part of the agreement.CPM legislator MY Tarigami flagged similar worries, claiming the Centre had signed another deal with New Zealand. “These agreements are posing serious challenges to Kashmir’s apple industry, the backbone of our economy,” Tarigami said.PDP MLA Waheed Parra demanded minimum support prices (MSP) for the region’s horticultural produce.
