Shimla, Feb. 19 -- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu would travel to Srinagar on Thursday to hold crucial talks with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over the sharp reduction in import duty on foreign apples, a move that has alarmed growers across the hill states.
The visit comes amid growing concern in Himachal Pradesh, where the apple economy, valued at over Rs 5,500 crore, sustains more than 2.5 lakh families.
Recent Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) signed by the Centre with New Zealand, the European union and the United States have led to a steep cut in customs duty on imported apples from 50 per cent to 25 per cent for the US and New Zealand, and to 20 per cent for European countries.
Orchardists fear that cheaper fore...