Waheed Para Seeks All-Party Meet on Apple Crisis in Assembly
Warns Free Trade Pacts Could Impact 7 Million Linked to Sector
Jammu, Feb 17, KNT: Peoples Democratic Party legislator Waheed ur Rehman Para on Tuesday called for convening an all-party meeting in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to formulate a unified strategy to address the growing crisis in Kashmir’s apple industry.
Speaking in the House, Para described apples as the backbone of the Union Territory’s economy and cautioned that nearly seven million people directly or indirectly dependent on the horticulture sector could be affected if timely measures are not taken.
He expressed concern over the implications of free trade agreements with countries such as the United States, New Zealand and European nations, stating that local growers must be protected from potential adverse impacts of increased imports.
While acknowledging the government’s pre- and post-harvest initiatives in the horticulture sector, Para highlighted structural challenges within the industry. He pointed out that out of approximately 30 lakh kanals of orchard land in Jammu and Kashmir, only about 30,000 kanals are currently under high-density plantation.
Para urged the government to accelerate transition to high-density cultivation and demanded provision of interest-free loans to farmers under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme to support modernization and enhance competitiveness.
He stressed that a collective political approach was essential to safeguard the interests of apple growers and sustain the region’s rural economy. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
![PCC Asks DC Pulwama to Shut Down Illegal Brick Kilns, 18 Brick Kilns Face Regulatory Violations, 7 Listed Without Consent Pulwama, Aug 8, KNT: Pollution Control Committee has asked Deputy Commissioner to shut down illegal brick kilns in South Kashmir's Pulwama district. The latest status of brick kilns operating in south Kashmir's Pulwama district has revealed serious regulatory concerns, with 18 units listed either without consent, with expired Consent to Operate (CTO), or under a “Refused” status. The status details show that seven brick kilns are listed as operating “Without consent”, indicating that the units do not have the required regulatory consent to operate. The seven units are Dar Brick Kiln (415) at Alliepora Shahoora, LBK changed into Bhat Brick Kiln (151) at Nownagri Pulwama, Kamran Brick Kiln 777 at Parigam Newa, Budshah Brick Kiln at Audoora Pulwama, JKB Sanzan (151) at Astapora Sanzan, 417 Brick Kiln changed into 7HH at Achan Litter Pulwama, and Five Star Brick Kiln at Wahipora Pulwama. The list further shows eight brick kilns with expired CTOs, meaning their consent to operate has lapsed. These include Hilal Brick Kiln, Allie Brick Kiln, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Sunflower Brick Kiln, Jalal Brick Kiln, Magray Brick Kiln, Thoker Brick Kiln (A-No) and Shahoorа Brick Kiln (ATM). Another three units have been marked “Refused” in the consent status. These are Mir Brick Kiln at Hastikhud Zadoora Newa, Gulmour Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora and Dar Brick Kiln at Tumchinowpora. The status as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust also contains brick kilns holding valid CTOs, indicating that the regulatory violations are not uniform across the district. The findings assume significance in view of the Jammu & Kashmir Pollution Control Committee's direction to the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, to initiate action against brick kilns operating without the requisite permissions and in violation of environmental regulations. The presence of multiple units with expired or refused consent, besides those listed without consent altogether, raises serious questions over their continued operation and the effectiveness of regulatory enforcement in the district. The concerned authorities are now expected to verify the operational status of these units and take action against those found functioning without valid statutory consent. [KNT]](https://newsagencyknt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Brick-Kiln-390x220.jpg)
