CM Pleads for Apple Import Ban During Peak Season

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, advocated for banning apple imports from July to November, urging increased duties during other months to protect local farmers. Meeting Union Ministers Piyush Goyal and Nirmala Sitharaman, Sukhu highlighted import duty concerns affecting the state's 2.5 lakh apple growers and economic reliance on apples.

In a decisive move to safeguard local apple growers, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met with Union Minister of Commerce and Industries Piyush Goyal in New Delhi, advocating for a temporary ban on apple imports during peak production months from July to November.

Amid concerns of increasing apple imports impacting local farmers' livelihoods, Sukhu urged Goyal to raise import duties to 100% outside the production months to dissuade apple imports, crucial for protecting the economic interests of approximately 2.5 lakh farmers in the state.

Sukhu's discussions extended to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, where he highlighted similar concerns and stressed the need for swift action. With apple imports having surged two-and-a-half times over a decade, he warned of exacerbated impacts from free trade agreements.

(With inputs from agencies.)