By Mudassir Maqbool
Shopian: Although Shopian is famous for its apples and majority of the populace is directly involved in its cultivation boosting economy of the state, however, Government proposed a site for fruit mandi before a decade is still incomplete.
The fruit mandi functions near Arhama with much less space and the buzz there is described as ‘chaos’ by fruit merchants and orchardist.
“The construction work is in progress near Rambiara from years where vast land was available and administration claims it will become a satellite market, one of the biggest fruit market inthe valley. But no efficient work is happening,” apple farmers say.
Ali Mohammad an apple grower talking to INS said that selection of fruit market on the banks of Nallah Rambiara is wrong which could be washed away any time as it had already jolted Mandi in 2014 floods.
Another businessman said that Government promised them ‘satellite market where all facilities will be provided’.
“The lackadaisical approach of the government is taking toll on our business, as we have to arrange boarding and lodging to fruit merchants coming from outside state at different places and doing online payments too is getting suffered,” a group of fruit growers said, adding that they were promised to be provided all the facilities including packing, transportation facility, loading and unloading.
Deputy commissioner Shopian Owais Bhat said that there weres issue of ‘funds that is why it is delayed’.
“I will try my best to function this market by the end of this year. There is a lot of space, all issues will be resolved,” he said.
