Srinagar, March 25 -- Peoples Conference chairman and legislator Handwara Sajjad Lone on Monday said that J&K's Rs.10,000 crore Horticulture industry gets only 1% budget and sought reform in budget allocation.

Lone while making a strong case for revitalising the region's horticulture sector through increased budget allocation and modernisation efforts in a thoughtful address to the Jammu & Kashmir Assembly on Monday. "I believe horticulture is a lifeline in terms of employment. There have been a few interventions, and though estimates vary, its turnover is approximately Rs.10,000 crore. Around 7.5 lakh families are associated with it. It contributes 8% to GDP, but the budget allocation is less than 1%, amounting to only Rs.700 crore," Lo...