Fruit growers, buyers suffer losses due to low apple demand

Say rates down by 40 pc compared to last year’s main season

Srinagar, Mar 29 (KNO): The fruit growers and buyers in Kashmir are deeply concerned, saying they face losses due to the low demand for apples.

Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), growers and buyers expressed their dismay over the current situation, saying there has been a drastic decrease in apple prices compared to the rates during the main apple season in October-November 2023.

Mohamad Ashraf, a fruit grower from Shopian, said he was offered Rs 1,200 per apple box in November last year but opted to store them in a cold store at Lassipora. However, he now finds himself receiving only around Rs 800 per box, much lower than the expected rates of Rs 1,800-2,000.

Similarly, Shakeel Ahmad, an apple trader, lamented purchasing high-quality apples at Rs 1,000-1,500 per box last November, only to find that the current selling price has dropped to Rs 1,000 per box.

Ahmad said there was anticipation for increased demand in the spring season, which led growers and buyers to store apples in cold storage. However, the expected surge in demand did not materialise, resulting in substantial financial losses.

Azhar Anjum, the manager of a cold store, confirmed the downward trend in apple prices, saying that rates have plummeted by Rs 300-400 per box. Currently, Kulu boxes are being sold for around Rs 1,000 per box, while Delicious apples fetch only about Rs 800, he said.

Despite incurring expenses of around Rs 300-400 per box on cold storage charges, growers and buyers are struggling to achieve even the rates attained during the main season last year.

Bashir Ahmad Basheer, chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, expressed concern over the losses faced by buyers due to the lack of demand this year compared to the previous year.

“While growers may not bear as much loss, buyers are grappling with substantial financial setbacks, having purchased apples at higher rates during a period of greater demand,” he said—(KNO)

Schools cannot force students to buy books, uniform from a specific shop: DSEJK

Non compliance may invite fine of Rs 1 Lac, cancellation of registration

Srinagar, Mar 29: The Directorate of School Education in Jammu and Kashmir has issued stern directives to private schools, warning against unauthorized fee hikes and unfair practices for the upcoming academic session of 2024-25. Schools found guilty of increasing tuition fees without proper permission may face fines of up to Rs 1 lakh, with the possibility of registration cancellation.

According to the newly issued instructions, private schools must seek approval from the Fee Fixation Committee before implementing any fee hikes. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh. Additionally, schools, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) are prohibited from mandating parents to purchase uniforms and books from specific vendors, promoting fair competition among suppliers.

Furthermore, the circular emphasizes that private schools are only permitted to charge tuition, annual, transport fees, and voluntary special purpose fees for activities like picnics and excursions. Any additional fees imposed beyond these categories will be deemed unauthorized. “In light of these directives, the Directorate aims to uphold transparency and accountability within the education system, ensuring that students and parents are protected from undue financial burdens and discriminatory practices,” said a senior Officer privy to the development.

Strict enforcement measures are outlined in the Jammu and Kashmir School Education Act 2022, with provisions for initiating action against schools found in violation of its regulations. The Directorate has urged parents to step forward and report any instances of non-compliance or unfair practices to the Chief Education Officer of the district or the Directorate of School Education—(KNO)

TRAFFIC POLICE HEADQUARTERS, J&K, JAMMU/SRINAGAR

1. From 28-03-2024, 1700 hrs. to 29-03-2024, 1700 hrs., there was slow movement

observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 03 HMVs, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, Panthyal, Nachlana, Shalgarhi etc. and poor surface condition of road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel.

2. Passengers/LMVs operators are advised to prefer journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during day time. Please avoid journey during night hours as apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.

3. Load carrier (HMV/LMV) Operators carrying fresh perishable/live stock are requested to load their vehicle as per advisory issued by Traffic Police Headquarters time to time as there is single lane traffic and poor condition of road at Dalwas on Jammu Srinagar NHW.

4. HMVs Operators/Owners are requested to desist from overloading and carry sufficient fuel during journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. It is further requested that vehicle owners must double check the fitness of their vehicles and carry sufficient fuel before undertaking journey on Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

5. HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres shall be allowed to ply through Dhar road.

TRAFFIC PLAN & ADVISORY FOR 30-03-2024:-

Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) Subject to fair weather and good road condition, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice- versa. However, HMVs shall be managed on regulated manner after assessing the road condition.

Cut off timing for LMVs in view of single road at Dalwas:- (subject to change depending on road condition)

from Nagrota (Jammu) 0600 hrs to 1300 hrs from Jakheni (Udhampur) 0700 hrs to 1400 hrs & from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) 0600 hrs to 1300 hrs No Vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing.

SFs Convoy Movement:-

Security Forces are advised/requested not to ply against advisory/traffic plan in view of possible traffic congestion because of narrow carriage way between Nashree and Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar NHW. Tomorrow they may ply from Jammu towards Srinagar after confirming the status of NHW from TCU Ramban.

SSG ROAD

Subject to fair weather and good road condition (after getting green signal from Road maintenance agencies), only one way traffic for LMVs 4X4 (passenger/Load carrier) from Srinagar towards Kargil shall be allowed on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road. These vehicles shall be allowed from Sonamarg at 0930 hrs upto 1300 hrs. Motorists are advised to carry anti-skid chain to gain more grip on the slippery road. No vehicle shall be allowed without anti skid chain/after cut off timing.

Mughal Road:-

Mughal road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

Bhaderwah-Chamba road:-

Bhaderwah-Chamba road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

Kishtwar- Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244:-

Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road is still blocked due to snow accumulation.

ADVISORY:-

People are advised to undertake journey on NH-44 only after confirming status of the road from Traffic control units as under:-

Jammu (0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103)

Srinagar (0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103)

Ramban (9419993745, 1800-180-7043)

Udhampur (8491928625)

PCR Kishtwar (9906154100) for status of Sinthan Road.

Mercury Drops As Rains Drench Kashmir, MeT Forecast More

Srinagar, March 29: Rains drenched most parts of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar receiving highest rainfall in the last 24 hours even as temperature recorded a drop on Friday.

A meteorological department official here told GNS Srinagar received 25.2mm of rain during the time till 0830 hours followed by Banihal (20.4mm), Pahalgam (17.8mm), Gulmarg (17.6mm), Qazigund (13.0mm), Kokernag (11.0mm), Kupwara (8.9mm), Bhaderwah (8.6mm), Batote (4.8mm), Katra (3.6mm) and Jammu (1.7mm).

Regarding night temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a minimum of 8.2°C against 9.8°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 2.1°C for the summer capital of JK for this time of the year.

Qazigund recorded a minimum of 8.4°C against 9.8°C on the previous night and it was 3.7°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir, he said.

Pahalgam recorded a low of 5.0°C, same as on the previous night and it was 3.4°C above normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.

Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 7.7°C against 9.1°C on the previous night and it was 3.0°C above normal, the official said.

Kupwara town recorded a low of 7.3°C against 9.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C above normal there, the official said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.4°C against 3.0°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 1.2°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.

Jammu, he said, recorded a minimum of 19.6°C and it was above normal by 3.0°C for the winter capital of J&K.

Banihal recorded a low of 10.4°C, Batote 10.1°C and Bhaderwah 9.6°C, he said.

With regard to the forecast, he said, fairly widespread light to moderate

rain/snow/TS is expected over Jammu and Kashmir during next 24 hours.

On March 31, he said, partly to generally cloudy weather with intermittent light rain/snow is expected at a few places. Generally dry weather has been forecast thereafter till April 5. (GNS)