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Cold storage units emerge as boon for Kashmir apple growers

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Srinagar, Oct 26: Cold storage units have come in handy for Kashmiri apple growers who witnessed a very low demand for the fruit despite bumper crop this season.

As per the growers, most of the cold storage units in the valley are already full while many now plan to start such units. 

Growers from various areas of south Kashmir told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that due to the very low demand for apples in different markets, they plan to keep the fruit in cold storage units so as to fetch good rates after March next year.

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They said this year’s production was more as compared to the last few years. “Even the quality was better but unfortunately the market is very low and most growers are now keeping their produce in cold storage units,” said Muhammad Yousuf, a fruit grower from Shopian.

Mehraj Ahmad, manager at one of the cold storage units at SIDCO Lassipora, said that 95 per cent of their store is already full and the rest will be filled in the next week.

Aabid Hussain, a senior employee at another store, said, “Our unit has a capacity of 2 lakh apple boxes among which 1.9 lakh have already reached here.”

He said the cold storage units have “revolutionised” the horticulture sector as it gives a choice to the grower to sell his produce “as per his will”.

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“Cold storage units provide employment to hundreds of people. Besides, labourers also get jobs as now the work of packing apples remains round the year,” Hussain added.

There are around 40 cold storage units in Kashmir and most of them are in SIDCO Lassipora.

Additional Chief Secretary (ACS), Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo last week inaugurated a 550 metric ton (MT) capacity Cold Storage facility at Agri Complex Lal Mandi in Srinagar.

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On the occasion, Dulloo said that Jammu & Kashmir is in need of more cold storage facilities for which the government is taking several steps.

The horticulture sector is considered the backbone of Kashmir’s economy as around 60 percent of the population directly or indirectly depends on it. On average, Kashmir produces around 25-30 lakh metric tonnes of apples every year.

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DDC vice chairperson Kupwara visits fire victims in Lolab

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DDC Vice Chairman Kupwara, Haji Farooq Ahmar Mir, visited fire victims in lolab area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

Also Read: LG unveils statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Charkha at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar

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He extended his heartfelt support and solidarity to the victims of the fire incident and emphasized his commitment to ensuring that they receive comprehensive assistance and relief in their time of need.

In a heartfelt appeal to the LG administration, he underscored the urgency of additional assistance and resources to expedite the rehabilitation process, highlighting the pressing need to ensure that the victims can rebuild their lives and homes with the necessary aid and support in this challenging period of recovery and reconstruction.

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LG unveils statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Charkha at Civil Secretariat, Srinagar

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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today unveiled the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and a Charkha installation, as a mark of tribute to the Father of the Nation on his Jayanti, at Civil Secretariat.

Also Read: Dutch scientist predicts strong earthquake in Pakistan within 48 hours

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“Pujya Bapu always believed that the message of Charkha’s circumference is much broader than its tangible circumference. The goal of the Charkha is to serve mankind, to live without hurting others, to create an inseparable bond between the rich and the poor, capital and labour,” the Lt Governor said.

Charkha was used as a significant tool by Bapu in the fight against British Rule. It is a symbol of Swadeshi movement, self-reliance and economic freedom, he said.

Paying tributes to Mahatma Gandhi, the Lt Governor said the ideals of Bapu are for all humanity.

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“I hope our officers, inspired by Bapu’s ideas and ideals, will continue to work dedicatedly for the dignity of every citizen in the society, for equality, social justice, and for a developed and self-reliant Jammu Kashmir,” the Lt Governor said.

The Lt Governor reiterated the commitment of the UT Administration to develop the villages as the centre of socio-economic growth and transform the lives of the rural population.

Today, villages in Jammu Kashmir are witnessing unprecedented growth due to the availability of various sources of income. New entrepreneurs are starting their new innings from villages. In terms of basic facilities, the gaps between village and the city are disappearing, the Lt Governor said.

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Following the ideals of Pujya Bapu, J&K in 2021-22 had established 21,640 manufacturing and service units in the villages with the help of KVIC, providing employment to more than 1.73 Lakh. In the last Financial Year, more than 10,628 new units had been installed, he added.

The Lt Governor congratulated the Jammu & Kashmir Khadi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) for the installation of the statue of Mahatma Gandhi and Charkha. He also called for collective efforts by all the stakeholders for promotion of Swadeshi products.

There is a need to promote city-based Self Help Groups engaged in Khadi, which has become a new fashion statement for youth, he said.

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Dr Hina Shafi Bhat, Vice Chairperson, KVIB; Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Sh R K Goyal, Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Administrative Secretaries and senior officers of UT and Police administration also paid their tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. 

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Our endeavour is to root out fear from common man’s heart and mind: Spl DG Swain

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Our fight is against those who promote violence, Challenges before J&K police different than other forces, Our fight is for public

Jammu and Kashmir police’s Special Director General (CID) RR Swain Monday said that police is trying its every bit to root out fear from the common man’s heart and mind while the fight against those who promote violence is purely for the general public.

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Also Read: Three residential houses damaged in separate fire incidents in Kupwara

Talking to reporters on the side-lines of a mega marathon organised by the J&K police, the special DG (CID) said that J&K is police quietly fighting against the enemy which is “organised” after using the outside support and influence. “To fight some people who promote violence needs an extra bit of valour and that is found within the J&K police. Challenges before J&K police are quite different than what other forces are facing,” he said. “We are fighting this battle quietly, silently for the common man who is sitting in a far off village. Our fight is for a small farmer, a lawyer, a Khateeb and a small journalist or for that matter a common man who respects and abides by the law.”

J&K police had organised a massive marathon in which participants from Kashmir, Jammu and other parts of the country participated. The event coincided with Gandhi Jayanti, the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

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The top police officer said: “Gandhiji always promoted non-violence.”

Swain said: “We will have to make the distinction between peace loving people and those whose ulterior motive is violence. So our fight is against those projecting violence. Our fight is for the general public and our endeavour is to root out the level of fear from common man’s heart and mind,” Swain said. KNO

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