Shimla, Jan. 13 -- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today assured apple orchardists that the state government would take up their concerns with the union government over the reduction in import duty on apples from New Zealand, which they said would severly affect domestic producers.
The meeting followed the recent India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, under which the central government agreed to reduce import duty on apples from 50 per cent to 25 per cent within a specified quota over six years. The agreement includes seasonal windows, minimum import prices, and safeguards to balance trade liberalisation with protection for domestic growers.
Chairing the meeting with representatives of progressive orchardist...