CM Sukhu Urges Centre to Hike Import Duty on Apples, Seeks Increased Borrowing Limit for Himachal.
Meets Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman; calls for protection of apple growers and fiscal flexibility for special category states.
New Delhi:
In a high-level meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi last evening, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu advocated for crucial financial measures aimed at safeguarding the state’s agrarian economy and improving its fiscal health.
The Chief Minister strongly urged the Centre to increase the import duty on apples, particularly those imported from Turkey, to protect domestic apple growers from falling prices and unfair competition. He highlighted that the influx of imported apples at lower prices was severely affecting the livelihoods of farmers in Himachal Pradesh — one of India’s key apple-producing regions.
“Apple cultivation forms the backbone of the economy in several hill regions, especially Himachal Pradesh. It is imperative that the Union Government takes strong steps to protect the interests of our farmers,” CM Sukhu told the Finance Minister, while calling for a universal hike in import duties on apples.
In addition, the Chief Minister sought a relaxation in the borrowing limits for Himachal Pradesh and other special category states. He specifically proposed a minimum 2% increase in the borrowing cap, enabling states with constrained resources to invest more in development and public welfare.
CM Sukhu also apprised the Union Finance Minister of the various fiscal reforms and resource augmentation measures undertaken by the state government to stabilize Himachal’s financial position despite prevailing economic challenges. He underlined the state’s commitment to responsible financial management, even amid a tough fiscal environment.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor to CM Ram Subhag Singh, and Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar, who supported the Chief Minister in presenting Himachal’s case to the Centre.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman assured the Chief Minister of a positive consideration of the issues raised and reiterated the Centre’s support for the financial empowerment of states.
The discussions come at a crucial time for Himachal Pradesh, as it grapples with the dual challenge of supporting its agricultural sector and maintaining fiscal sustainability.
