The Jammu & Kashmir administration recently introduced a new scheme in which local farmers can transport their produce, within India or abroad, at a much lower cost. A subsidy of 25 percent will be provided on the air cargo of some perishable fruits grown in Jammu and Kashmir.
But it is ironic that Kashmir will be benefitted with this subsidy on most of its perishable fruits. Whereas for Jammu which is famous for various fruits like guava, jamun, oranges and keenu government has missed its special subsidy on air cargo facility for such locally grown fruits.
In the official documents it is mentioned that the market linkage support has been initiated by the Horticulture Department ‘PARVAZ scheme,’ as part of its endeavors to ensure good dividends of the horticulture produce, which will result in socio-economic emancipation of fruit growers and farmers of J&K by doubling their income.
“With 25 percent subsidy under Parvaz in place, the effective per kg air cargo charges for cherry, litchi, strawberry, pear, peach and plum from Jammu and Srinagar airports to Dubai and Sharjah will be only Rs 96 while it will be 21.75 for Dehli, Rs 29.25 for Mumbai, 39 for kolkatta, 40.5 for Chennai and 41.25 for Bangluru”, as per official handout.
A senior official said that no discrimination has been done since cherry, strawberry, pear, peach and plum are also grown in Jammu and development of both the regions is important for them.
Further he added that more fruits will be added in the list of subsidy soon.