Srinagar, Sept. 21 -- PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday condemned the National Conference for its long-standing neglect of the horticulture sector, revealing that 99% of this year's C-grade apple produce has gone waste due to the government's failure to implement the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS).

In a statement issued, Mufti said that her late father, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, had a visionary understanding of J&K's economic foundations and always recognized the fruit industry as the backbone of the region's economy. "Horticulture sustains over 7 lakh families, generates annual revenues of ?5,000-6,000 crore, and contributes nearly 8-9% of J&K's GDP. Mufti Sahib treated this sector as a lifeline, not a seas...